Portrait of William Herschel after Artaud. The original Artaud portrait was commissioned by William Herschel's son, John Frederick William Herschel in 1819. It shows William aged 81 in a plain jacket wearing the ribbon of the Royal Guelphic order.

The Royal Guelphic Order was an order of Chivalry introduced by the Prince Regent (later George IV). Guelphic refers to the House of Guelph to which all the Hanoverian kings belonged, and would have had special significance for William Herschel since he, like the kings, was originally from Hanover.

The original portrait was a definite success, inspiring both Caroline Herschel and Bertie Greatheed to commission exact copies for themselves as well as 25 lithographs.

Various versions of this image exist including oil on canvas copies of the original ordered by Caroline Herschel (this now belongs to the Royal Astronomical Society) and Bertie Greatheed (BHC2359) who recommended the artist to JFW Herschel.