The Georgian Era (1714 - 1830) is a period in British history, covering the reigns of the kings George I, George II, George III, George IV.  It was certainly a time of great social change.  The Georgian era witnessed both the agricultural revolution and the start of the industrial era. The American Revolution and loss of the American colonies was obviously seen as a national disaster.  However in other areas, the British empire expanded  and brought fame to explorers such as Clive of India and Captain Cook who really sowed the seeds of the world-wide British empire that were to grown in the Victorian era. 

Culturally the Georgian era was particularly vibrant. The British Museum for example, was founded in 1753 and the works of Great British novelists which portrayed Georgian society began to flourish.  Writers such as Henry Fielding, Mary Shelley and Jane Austen, characterised by the architecture of Robert Adam, John Nash and James Wyatt.

During the Georgian era a new form of poetry appeared with the emergence of the Romantic poets, principally through Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, Blake and Shelley.  This same Romantic Movement also appeared in art during this era. The paintings of the Georgian era were characterised by dramatic scenes captured in brilliant colours. In addition, many portraitists gained widespread fame in capturing the well-to-do of society on canvas.

The paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, who was one of the most famous portrait and landscape painters of 18th century Britain, really encapsulates the Georgian period.  The painting above of Gainsborough's The Blue Boy won great acclaim when it was first exhibited in 1770, cementing his reputation as one of the finest painters in his day.  Gainsborough's paintings are flamboyant and supremely elegant. Sir Joshua Reynolds, J. M. W. Turner and John Constable also illustrated the changing world of the Georgian period.

 Turner's The Fighting Temeraire (91 cm x 122 cm)

If you're a lover of Georgian art then visit our Georgian art gallery. We can replicate any painting there and if you can't see a painting you like please let us know and we'll be happy to paint it for you.

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