The third son of
George III, Clarence was not considered likely to inherit the throne and joined the
Royal Navy. He is shown in the full dress uniform of an
admiral, wearing the
Order of the Garter. After the death of his elder brother
George IV in 1830, William succeeded to the throne. Archer Shee was
President of the Royal Academy during William's reign, following
Thomas Lawrence in the post. He also painted William while he was King. Today the work is in the collection of the
National Portrait Gallery in London, which acquired it in 1928. Archer Shee also produced a near contemporary painting of Clarence in the robes of a
peer which he exhibited at the
Royal Academy's
Summer Exhibition in 1800, which is now in the collection of the
Walker Art Gallery in
Liverpool. ==See also==