George Romney (1734-1802) was an English painter born in
Lancashire, and noted mainly for his superb portrait paintings. The son of a builder and
cabinet-maker, he worked in the north of England until 1762 when he settled in London.
From this time, he became the most successful portrait painter of his day, apart from
Reynolds and Gainsborough. He used delicate colour sense and graceful lines to good
effect. Romney was introspective, and attracted to literary circles, including the poets
Cowper and Hayley who were his good friends. In about 1781, he became infatuated with Emma
Hart, later Lady Hamilton, Nelson's mistress, and he painted her many times. He retired to
Kendal in 1798 and died insane. His paintings are in many English and US collections.
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