King George III Seated on a Cockleshell, Flanked by Neptune and Britannia

Summary

A fantastical scene of the King seated on a cockleshell throne in the centre of the composition, forward-facing, with a symbol of office held in the left hand. To the left stands the nude figure of the sea god Neptune To the right of the King stands the personification of Britannia, a forward-facing female figure wearing loose drapery, with her head turned in profile to the left, carrying a spear in one hand and a shield in the other. Horses flank the throne in two groups of four; a putto carrying a trident rides on the back of a horse to the right; two putti playing shell horns occupy the upper corners of the composition.