Figure 1.-- Lady Charlotte Finch (1725-1813), the Princes’ governess, ordered ‘a Telemachus Dress for the Prince of Wales and a Turk’s for Prince Frederick’ (September 1764). Art historians believe that thiese are the fancy dress outfits that the princes are wearing here. The outfit are associated with a popular educational text of the period, Francois Fénelonthe's 'Telemachus' published in 1699. The fanciful mix of Turkish and classical costumes is basically just just fancy dress. One assessment describs it the 18th century equivalent of cowboys and indians. Prince George holds the massive pooch like a warrior with his charger. Click on the image to see the full painting.

One portrait by Johan Zoffany shows the two oldest boys in what look like fancy dress costumes. All young children of course love to dress up. Here the boys seem to be playing. We notice royal children during the 19th century dressing up in costumes to have a photographic portrait taken. We do not know how common this was in the 18th century. Unlike a photographic portrait which could be shot in an instant, a painted portrait could take months to complete. This of course changes the whole idea of dressing up for fun. The Queen playing with the children would seem to suggest a rather enlightened view toward motherhood for royalty at the time. The children's costumes were carefully chosen, although they would have understood nothing about it. A great deal is known this portrait and the royal household. Joffany has imbedded a great deal of infrmation in the painting. in addition to Queen Charlotte's magnificent dress and the princes' fancy costumes. We know that it was meant to represent a 2:30 pm scene in Buckingham House (Palace). This means that the princes had just finished their dinner (lunch). They were given dinner at 2:00 pm (since November 1764). And after dinner they are allowed a visit with their mother. Mother began dressing about 1:00 pm, an involved process with such a magnificent dress. The princes governess waits in the room beyond. (If you look closely in the full view she can be se in a mirror.) The Queen will dine with the King at exactly 4.00 pm. A historian explains, "The splendid and highly formal character of the Queen’s dress would be regarded at this date not as a sign of vanity but of respect for custom and ceremony; strict time-keeping is the sign of an orderly mistress of a household; playing with children is clearly the action of a devoted and dutiful mother." The full poertait provides a view which opens onto Bucukingham House's formal garden which shows a growing appreciation of mature. Lady Charlotte Finch (1725-1813), the Princes’ governess, ordered ‘a Telemachus Dress for the Prince of Wales and a Turk’s for Prince Frederick’ (September 1764). Art historians believe that thiese are the fancy dress outfits that the princes are wearing here (figure 1). The outfit are associated with a popular educational text of the period, Francois Fénelonthe's Telemachus published in 1699. Fénelonthe's describes the son of Ulysses travelling round the Mediterranean as his father had done with his advisor, Mentor. They observe examples of good and bad government. The fanciful mix of Turkish and classical costumes is basically just just fancy dress. One assessment describs it the 18th century equivalent of cowboys and indians. Prince George holds the massive pooch like a warrior with his charger. Zoffany’s two works of the royal toddlers were private, family commissions. As a result either was engraved (the only was a paining at a time could be published) or exhibited at the Society of Arts.

Created: 7:25 AM 2/28/2017
Last updated: 7:25 AM 2/28/2017