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William Sadler II (c.1782-1839)
THE LANDING OF KING GEORGE IV AT HOWTH HARBOUR, 1821
oil on panel
10.25 by 15.5in. (26.04 by 39.37cm)
On his fifty-ninth birthday, 12 August 1821, King George IV crossed the Irish Sea aboard the ‘Lightning’
steamboat on the first peaceful mission to the island of Ireland by a British monarch. The present view shows
an excited crowd, some raising their arms and caps and others moving hurriedly downhill towards Howth
pier. Ireland’s Eye can be seen clearly in the distance and, to the right, the King’s arrival is clearly visible,
marked out by the billowing smoke coming from the novel steam vessel; which would in itself have been an
unusual and exciting sight to locals.
The royal vessel is followed by the rest of the royal squadron, each bearing the monarch’s flag. The Martello
tower to the right of the composition boasts a sizeable union jack to welcome the monarch.
King George landed at Howth about half past four in the afternoon to a smaller crowd than was anticipated,
owing to the recent passing of the Queen, and although his stay was brief it was perceived to have been a suc-
cess in spite of reports that he was drunk on arrival and that the main purpose of his trip was to spend time
with his mistress, Lady Conyngham, at Slane Castle.
A sizeable painting (89.2 by 138cm) titled The Embarkation of George IV at Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) 3rd
September 1821 by Sadler recorded the historic departure of the King. This was exhibited for the first time in
decades at the Gorry Gallery in summer 2012. Other contemporary scenes of the same occasion by Joseph
Patrick Haverty (1794-1864) and Joseph F. Ellis (c.1783-1848) were included in that show.
In keeping with Sadler’s larger embarkation scene, the present work displays a similar technique in the impas-
toed use of white paint, which highlights the figures and other elements of the composition giving a percepti-
ble texture to the painted surface and an overall sense of movement within the scene. However, in contrast to
the pomp and occasion of his departure, here Sadler focuses on the ordinary local spectators to this impend-
ing momentous event. He includes their modest dwellings that line the pathway towards the festivities below,
as well as the smoke wafting from their chimneys; a charming visual cue to the subject in the distance.
For further reading see: Gorry Gallery catalogue: ‘Exhibition of 18th - 21st Century Irish Painting’ 20 May to
2 June 2012
€3,000-€5,000 (£2,360-£3,940 approx.)
Large Image & Place Bid Lot 97