George Romney, painter, was born and trained in the north of England until 1762, when moved to London, where he exhibited at the Society of Arts and later at the Free Society and the Society of Artists. His further studies in Italy between 1773 and 1775 had a lasting influence on his portraiture, which often include classical poses and draperies. The National Portrait Gallery London writes that he was ‘confident in painting portraits as well as history paintings, he was a rival of Sir Joshua Reynolds.’