Sketch of an heroic winged figure seated on a lion looking up to a medallion portrait of King George III with St Paul's Cathedral in the background

NOTES: On April 23, 1789, a procession and service of thanksgiving took place in St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the recovery of King George III from his recent illness. On May 4th Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery on Pall Mall was opened to the public. This sketch apparently served as the basis for an illumination in front of the Gallery as part of the celebrations in honour of the King's recovery. Possibly part of Lewis Vulliamy's own art collection or that of his father, the celebrated clockmaker Benjamin Vulliamy. In the Lewis Vulliamy papers found in a paper folder inscribed 'Drawings and Sketches by / Cosway / Stothard / R Smirke Snr / Gainsborough'.