Sir George Hayter (17 December 1792 – 18 January 1871) was an English painter, specialising in portraits and large works involving sometimes several hundred individual portraits. Queen Victoria appreciated his merits and appointed Hayter her Principal Painter in Ordinary and also awarded him a Knighthood in 1841.

Early life

thumb|left|Self-portrait of George Hayter aged 28, painted in 1820 (National Portrait Gallery)

Hayter was the son of Charles Hayter (1761–1835), a miniature painter and popular drawing-master and teacher of perspective who was appointed Professor of Perspective and Drawing to Princess Charlotte and published a well-known introduction to perspective and other works.

Initially tutored by his father, he went to the Royal Academy Schools early in 1808, but in the same year, after a disagreement about his art studies, ran away to sea as a Midshipman in the Royal Navy. His father secured his release, and they came to an agreement that Hayter should assist him while pursuing his own studies.

In 1809 he secretly married Sarah Milton, a lodger at his father's house (he was 15 or 16, she 28), the arrangement remaining secret until around 1811. Georgiana (born 1813) and William Henry (born 1814). In 1842 Hayter was knighted. He painted several royal ceremonies including Queen Victoria's coronation of 1838 and marriage of 1840 and also the Christening of the Prince of Wales of 1843 (all Brit. Royal Col.). He also painted several royal portraits including his most well-known work the State Portrait of the new Queen Victoria. Several versions of this portrait were done, with the assistance of the artist's son Angelo, to be sent as diplomatic gifts. Hayter's active period at court was short-lived, however, because Albert preferred German painters such as Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

Several significant examples of Hayter's works from this period remain a part of the Royal Collection, and both the State Portrait and Wedding painting are among those displayed to the public at Buckingham Palace. There is also a full-scale version of the State Portrait in the National Portrait Gallery and smaller copy at Holyrood Palace.

Later years

left|thumb|Self-portrait of Sir George Hayter in 1863 (Private Coll.) Now in his fifties, Hayter struggled with his health and debts and he sold his Old Masters and other art works at Christie's in May 1845. He planned to move back to the continent but could not after he received severe leg injuries in July 1845 train accident. while others say the ancestor was Sir George Hayter himself. What is known for certain is that the French painter and writer, Jean René Bazaine was a great-great-grandson of George Hayter, through his eldest daughter Georgiana Elizabeth, who married Pierre-Dominique Bazaine older brother of Marshal Bazaine.

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Princess Victoria and Dash by George Hayter.jpg|Princess Victoria painted 1833

Dronning victoria.jpg|Detail from State Portrait of Queen Victoria 1837

Queen Victoria-by George Hayter.jpg|State Portrait of Queen Victoria 1837

Sir George Hayter (1792-1871) - The Christening of The Prince of Wales, 25 January 1842 - RCIN 403501 - Royal Collection.jpg|The Christening of the Prince of Wales in St. George's Chapel, Windsor 25 Jan 1842

Coronation of Queen Victoria 28 June 1838 by Sir George Hayter.jpg|Coronation of Queen Victoria 28 June 1838

Victoria Marriage01.jpg|Marriage of Victoria and Albert, 10 February 1840

Queen victoria throne hi.jpg|Queen Victoria Enthroned in the House of Lords 1838

Queen Victoria in Coronation robes 1838 (copy of original in Guildhall).jpg|Queen Victoria seated on the throne in the House of Lords 1838 (copy commissioned by Madamme Tussauds)

Queen Victoria taking the Coronation Oath by George Hayter 1838.jpg|Queen Victoria taking the Coronation Oath 1838

Queen Victoria Taking the Coronation Oath, June 28, 1838, by George Hayter.jpg|Queen Victoria taking the Coronation Oath

Trial of Queen Caroline by Sir George Hayter.jpg|The Trial of Queen Caroline in the House of Lords 1820 (188 portraits), completed 1823

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick by Sir George Hayter.jpg|Queen Caroline, wife of George IV during her trial, 1820

The Trial of William Lord Russell in 1683 by GH - Ferens Art Gallery.jpg|The Trial of William Lord Russell in 1683, 1825

The House of Commons, 1833 by Sir George Hayter.jpg|The House of Commons, 1833 (375 portraits)

Latimer preaching at St.Paul's cross by Sir George Hayter 1855.jpg|Latimer preaching at St.Paul's cross, 1855

The Martydom of Ridley and Latimer by Sir George Hayter 1855.jpg|The Martydom of Ridley and Latimer, 1855

Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool by Sir George Hayter.jpg|Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool and Prime Minister, 1823 (for Trial of Queen Caroline picture)

Thomas Graham, Baron Lynedoch by Sir George Hayter.jpg|General Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch 1823

William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, c.1822-86 GH.jpg|William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire c.1822-26

William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire.jpg|William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire c.1822-26

Duchess of Kent by Sir George Hayter 1835.jpg|Duchess of Kent (mother of Queen Victoria), 1835

Antonio Canova, by George Hayter.jpg|Antonio Canova painted in 1817

Portrait of Queen Louise of Belgium (1812-1850), Windsor 1837.jpg|Queen Louise of Belgium, Windsor 1837

Portrait of Sir Edwin Henry Landseer by George Hayter 1825.jpg|Edwin Landseer drawn in 1825

Lord Richard Cavendish as a boy by Sir George Hayter painted in 1825.jpg|Lord Richard Cavendish as a boy, painted in 1825

Portrait of a young lady in an interior (George Hayter, 1826).jpg|Portrait of a young lady in an interior 1826

Portrait of a lady by George Hayter (Naples 1828).jpeg|Portrait of a Lady, Naples 1828

Lady Stuart de Rothesay and her daughters by George Hayter.jpg|Lady Stuart de Rothesay and her daughters, Paris 1830

1stLordStuart de Rothesay.jpg|Lord Stuart de Rothesay, British Ambassador to France, Paris 1830

The Hon. Charlotte Stuart and The Hon. Louisa Stuart, 1830 by George Hayter.jpg|The Hon. Charlotte and The Hon. Louisa Stuart, daughters of Baron Stuart de Rothesay, Paris 1830

Charlotte, Countess de la Bourdonnaye (1795-1875) 1830 (Paris).jpg|Charlotte, Countess de la Bourdonnaye (1795–1875) Paris 1830

File:Portrait of Lady Caroline Montagu in Byronic Costume by George Hayter, 1831, oil on canvas, view 1 - Chazen Museum of Art - DSC02190.JPG|Portrait of Lady Caroline Montagu, 1831

Saith Satoor and Ali Hassan Bey 1831 V&A by GH.jpg|Saith Satoor and Ali Hassan Bey, 1831. Saith Satoor was the protégé of Prince Abbas Mirza, Crown Prince of Persia

Sofia Kiselyova (Potocki)0.jpg|Sofia Kiselyova, daughter of Count Stanislav Potocki 1831

George Hayter - Portrait of Countess Yelizaveta Vorontsova - WGA11228.jpg|Countess Elizabeth Vorontsova (1792–1880) 1832

Caroline Norton (1808-77) society beauty and author by GH, Chatsworth Coll..jpg|The Hon. Mrs. Caroline Norton, society beauty and author, 1832

Louisa Barbara Catherine Philips, Countess of Lichfield (c.1800-1879) with two of her Children, Thomas George Anson, 2nd Earl of Lichfield MP (1825-1892) and Lady Harriet Frances Maria Anson, Lady Vernon (1827-1898) by Sir George Hayter.png|Louisa Philips, Countess of Lichfield (c.1800-1879) with two of her Children, Thomas George Anson and Lady Harriet Frances Maria Anson, painted in 1832

File:Lord John Russell (Hayter).png|Lord John Russell, 1832

File:Lord Melbourne (Hayter).jpeg|Lord Melbourne, 1838

Alfred, Count D'Orsay by Sir George Hayter.jpg|Alfred Count D'Orsay, 1839

Charlesgrey2.jpg|Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey Prime Minister 1830–1834

PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM LAMB, 2ND VISCOUNT MELBOURNE, PC, FRS 1779-1848 BY SIR GEORGE HAYTER.jpg|Lord Melbourne Prime Minister 1834, 1835–1841

ROBERT LAWRENCE PEMBERTON OF BAINBRIDGE HOUSE WITH HIS MOTHER.jpg|Robert Lawrence Pemberton of Bainbridge House with his mother

PORTRAIT OF ANNE, DAUGHTER OF HON W.F. ELPHINSTONE.jpg|Anne Elphinstone 1835

PORTRAIT OF LADY ELIZABETH HARCOURT 1840.jpg|Lady Elizabeth Harcourt, eldest daughter of 2nd Earl of Lucan and wife of George Harcourt

John William Montagu (1811–1884), 7th Earl of Sandwich as a Young Man Hinchingbrooke House 1832 GH.jpg|John Montagu, 7th Earl of Sandwich (1811–1884), 7th Earl of Sandwich

John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer by Sir George Hayter.jpg|John Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer (1782–1845)

William, 2nd Earl of Craven 1809-66 by GH.jpg|William Craven, 2nd Earl of Craven

Lady Louisa Stuart by George Hayter.jpg|Lady Louisa Stuart at the age of ninety-three, sketch in oils

John, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766-1839).jpg|John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766–1839)

6thDukeOfBedford.jpg|John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766–1839)

George Bridgeman 2nd Earl of Bradford by Sir George Hayter.jpg|George Bridgeman, 2nd Earl of Bradford

Francis Baring, 1st Baron Northbrook by Sir George Hayter.jpg|Francis Baring, 1st Baron Northbrook (1833) for House of Commons picture

Sir Robert Harry Inglis, 2nd Bt by Sir George Hayter.jpg|Sir Robert Inglis, 2nd Baronet

Portrait study of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington 1835.jpg|Admiral Sir Edward Codrington 1835

File:Sir George Hayter (1792-1871) - Leopold I, King of the Belgians (1790-1865) - RCIN 404881 - Royal Collection.jpg|Leopold I of Belgium, 1837

John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane by Sir George Hayter.jpg|John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane, 1833

John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane.jpg|John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane, 1834

Thomas Brunton.jpg|Thomas Brunton in 1832 (inventor of studded-link, marine chain cable), friend of the artist

The Duke of Wellington (1839) by George Hayter.jpg|The Duke of Wellington (1839), for the House of Commons picture

Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) by Sir George Hayter.jpg|The Duke of Wellington

John Jonson, Lord Mayor of London in 1845 by George Hayter.jpg|Rt Hon John Johnson, Lord Mayor of London 1845

Robertson-Bruce Sir James 2nd Bt Royal Horse Artillery by Sir GH 1820.jpg|Sir James Robertson-Bruce 2nd Bt painted in 1820

Robertson-Bruce Mrs Ellen by Sir GH 1820.jpg|Mrs Ellen Robertson-Bruce painted in 1820

Portrait of a boy.jpg|Portrait of a boy

The Angels Ministering to Christ 1849 V&A GH.jpg|The Angels Ministering to Christ, 1849

Joseph interpreting the Chief Baker's Dream by Sir George Hayter 1854.jpg|Joseph Interpreting the Dream of the Chief Baker, 1854

Amy Emily Sarah Fitzroy by George Hayter 1858.jpg|Amy Emily Sarah Fitzroy, 1858

Hemsted Park, three studies with trees and storm clouds by George Hayter.jpg|Hemsted Park, three studies with trees and storm clouds, 1856

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See also

  • List of British painters
  • Henry Collen

References

Further reading

  • R. Ormond: Early Victorian Portraits, 2 vols, London N.P.G. cat. (London, 1973)
  • Drawings by Sir George and John Hayter (exh. cat. by B. Coffey [Bryant], London, Morton Morris, 1982) [incl. checklist of prints]
  • R. Walker: Regency Portraits, 2 vols, London N.P.G. cat. (London, 1986)
  • O. Millar: The Victorian Pictures in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen, 2 vols (Cambridge, 1992)
  • B. Bryant: Sir George Hayter's Drawings at Duncombe Park: Family Ties and a "Melancholy Event", Apollo, cxxxv (1992), pp.&nbsp;240–50 [incl. newly pubd letter of 1827]
  • A portrait of , engraved by John Cochran for Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837 with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon.