born Dec. 15, 1734, Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, Eng.
died Nov. 15, 1802, Kendal, Westmorland
British portrait painter.
Son of a Lancashire cabinetmaker, he began his career by touring the northern counties, painting portraits for a few guineas each. In 1762 he established himself as a portraitist in London and quickly won favour among society patrons. His success depended on the flattery of his likenesses; he avoided any suggestion of the sitter's character or sensibilities. Infatuated with Emma Hart (later Lady Hamilton ) 0441; 178182, he went on to paint more than 50 images of her. Line, rather than colour, dominates his work, and the flowing rhythms and easy poses of Roman Classical sculpture underlie the smooth patterns of his compositions.
George Romney, "Self Portrait," oil painting, 1782; in the National Portrait Gallery, ...
By courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London