Figure 1.--This is one of George Romney's portraits. We do not know who the boy is or when the portrait was painted. |
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George Romney was born in Kendal, Lancashire during 1732. His father was a cabinetmaker. Romney studied under portrait artist, Christopher Steele. Romney began his career traveling and painting portraits. He was sucessful and acquired a modest reputation in priovincial towns. This gave him the money to travel to Italy where he could both Classical and Renaissance works. Upon returning to England, Romney renwed his career in London, not only the capital but a lively cosmopolitan city which was where an artist could show off his work (1762). He did many wonderful portrairs. He desired to expand his body of wotk by painting historical works. He was never very successful with this. His work began to decline after meeting Emma Hart (1781). He became obseessed with Emma and painted numerous portraits of her. As a result, he had less time for commisions and his careet suffered. He eventually retuned to Kendal where he descended into mental illness. He left us, however, many notable portraits.
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