Frederick, Prince of Wales
- Artist: Giacomo Amiconi
- Date: 1735
- Medium: Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions: frame: 2459 x 1594 x 48 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
“This is “Frederick, Prince of Wales” by Giacomo Amiconi. Painted in 1735 as an oil on canvas portrait, it shows the earl standing in full dress, robes of the Order of the Garter and a plumed hat set aside. The background frames him with an imagined colonnade that recalls classical architecture.
The work was commissioned by the sitter himself; it was intended as a gift for Charles, 2nd Duke of Dorset, a close ally. Amiconi—Neapolitan but already established in Venice, Munich and then England since 1729—was a favourite of Frederick’s. He painted many elite portraits and decorative schemes, earning praise from patrons like Caroline of Ansbach.
This portrait is one of two grand full‑length society pictures; the other shows his brother William, Duke of Cumberland. Together they illustrate how royal patronage was used to circulate art across Britain.
See it in person
Frederick, Prince of Wales is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
