William Kent’s vivid recreation of George I’s court – for which he received £500 – depicts a lively 18th-century court full of intriguing and unexpected characters.

Along with the Yeomen of the Guard, Kent’s painting includes the King’s Polish page Ulric, the King’s Turkish servants Mahomet and Mustapha, Peter ‘the wild boy’ – a feral child found in the woods in Germany – and a portrait of himself, with his mistress at his shoulder, looking down from the ceiling.

‘I love the King’s Staircase because while it is so grand, William Kent’s painting also shows another side of royal life. It is lovely to see there were children at the court…they look at you look over the painted banisters as you walk up the stairs.’

      -Joanna Marschner, Kensington Palace Curator