| The Institution of the Order of the Garter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Benjamin West |
| Year | 1787 |
| Type | Oil on canvas, history painting |
| Dimensions | 289.9 cm× 448.8 cm(114.1 in× 176.7 in) |
| Location | Royal Collection, London |
The Institution of the Order of the Garter is a 1787 history painting by the American-British artist Benjamin West. [1] It was part of a series featuring scenes from the reign of Edward III of England during the fourteenth century produced by West for George III. [2] It depicts the founding ceremony of the Order of the Garter, created as England's premier Order of chivalry, in 1348 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. [3] The King, his son and heir Edward the Black Prince and the other Knights of the Order kneel by an altar where a bishop blesses the statutes. Queen Phillipa kneels at the left with her ladies-in-waiting behind her and a large crowd of spectators. At George III's request a self-portrait of West was added to the painting on the far left, with the face possibly done by his pupil Gilbert Stuart. West received 1,300 guineas for the painting which was displayed at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition of 1792 at Somerset House. The painting remains in the Royal Collection. [4]
