George Romney
1734–1802 · Rococo & Neoclassicism
Biography
George Romney was born in Dalton-in-Furness, now part of Cumbria; as a young man he trained as a cabinetmaker and took up painting seriously only from the age of 21, then built up a flourishing business as a portrait painter in northern England (the portrait of Miss Elizabeth Murray pictured is an example of his work). Aware that London offered more opportunities, he moved south in 1762, leaving behind his wife, Molly, and his little son. In London he was so showered with commissions that in the following 36 years he saw his family only three times. Eventually, however, in 1798 he returned to his home in northern England, where in his last years he was nursed by the undoubtedly very forgiving Molly.
From the page of Lady Hamilton as Circe
