Figure 1.--All we know for sure about this portrait is that it was a boy painted by Irish-English painter Martin Archer Shee. Because no one knows who the boy was, ther portraitis known only as 'boy wiih a spaniel'. The red/ginger-headed boy wears a bright green low neckline dress. The front look rather like the front of a military tunic. We looks to be about 5-years old. We are not sure how to date his portrait, but might guess the 1820s.

Martin Archer Shee was born in Dublin (1769), but as his career was conducted in England, he stands as one of England's great portraitist. Martin grew up in Ireland having a rather unsettled childhood, primarily because his mother died while he was just out of infancy. His father Martin Shee was a mildly successful, but not rich merchant. His mother Mary Archer died (1771). He received a classical education at a Dominican school in Dublin (early-1780s). He began studying drawing academy of the Royal Dublin Society (around 1783). He quickly distinguished himself winning most premiums. Given his obvious talent, he left home (1786) and quickly established a career as a portraits in pastels. He obtained commissions from elite society figures. Because his father had died and encouraged by his success in Dublin and some earnings to get him started, he decided to move to London with far greater potential to pursue his career (1788). Here he had a great advantage because a cousin, George Shee was a wealthy nabob. This provided entry to London high society and a long list of potential wealthy clients.Shee met Mary Power from Co. Cork, Ireland asd they became cerious. His career was in London, bt his hart apparentlywas still in Ieland. There was oppposition from both families. Mary's family did not think he had the means. His career was just getting started. But they married (1796). It prove to be a particlarly felicitos union. here were six children, three boys and three girls. We do not know much about them. We note a portrait of William, painted about 1820. We are not sure what he is wearing. We think it is a red skelton suit with a maching jacket. Shee is primarily known as a portratist but he also did a few genre paintings--refereed to as 'fancy' paintings at the time. He would go on to play an important role in he Royal Academy. His portraits include some of the most notably portraits of the monarchs of his life span except George III. He was anti-slavery, but as far as we know it did not enter in his work. Shee lived a long life and was active from an early age, earlier than for most artists. He ledft an incredible number of portraits as part of his bodfy of work. This means he provides us a wonderful chronicle of fashions for half a century.

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Created: 11:17 PM 11/26/2025
Last updated: 6:59 PM 11/27/2025