Romney George

Romney, George (1734-1802), painter, was born in Lancashire, and was apprenticed at the age of nineteen to a portrait-painter of Kendal. He made rapid progress in his art and in 1756 married. Soon after he developed his own style, and in 1762 came to London, where he obtained many commissions. He went to Italy for a couple of years, and on his return settled in Cavendish Square. He was recognised as a powerful rival of Reynolds and Gainsborough, and his portraits, of which he painted a great number, are highly valued. He also painted poetical subjects well. He never exhibited at the Royal Academy. A few years before his death he became imbecile. In the National Portrait Gallery are many of his works.