John Hoppner

Portrait of Doctor Simmons, Physician to King George III

Portrait of Doctor Simmons, Physician to King George III by John Hoppner

Artwork Detail

As a physician Samuel Simmons made a close study of mental diseases. His reputation as an authority in cases of insanity led to George III being entrusted to his care in 1803. Although he announced a cure within six months, the king was later declared permanently insane. Simmons gave evidence before the House of Lords on the probability of the king's recovery. At the time porphyria, a hereditary disease of body metabolism, had not been identified.

Title
Portrait of Doctor Simmons, Physician to King George III
Artist/creator
John Hoppner
Production date
Unknown
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
746 x 619 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Dr Hugh Wansey Bayly, 1940
Accession no
1940/12/10
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Department
International Art
Display status
Not on display

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