George Frideric Handel

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Born in Saxony, Handel moved to London in 1712 from the court in Hanover. By 1714 he found himself working for his old master, now George I, for whom he composed the Water Music in 1717. For the next fifty years Handel poured out opera, oratorios and concertos. His Messiah, first performed in Dublin in 1742, was a national institution within his lifetime.
This picture was probably painted for Handel by Balthasar Denner, a fellow German. It is thought to be the earliest portrait of the composer.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

George Frideric Handel

Date

1726–1728

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 74.9 x W 62.6 cm

Accession number

1976

Acquisition method

Given by Arthur F. Hill, 1923. On long-term loan to Beningbrough Hall, Yorkshire

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

National Portrait Gallery, London

St Martin’s Place, London, Greater London WC2H 0HE England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue