Samuel Shelley entered the Royal Academy Schools as a seventeen year-old in 1774 and exhibited at the Academy regularly from this time until 1804. Though initially exhibiting only miniatures, Shelley became interested in history and subject painting through the influence of the RA and its president, Joshua Reynolds. He collaborated with printmakers such as Francesco Bartolozzi; and produced illustrations for a number of publications including a volume of poems, Cabinet of Genius (1787). He also remained highly successful as a miniature painter and was employed in this capacity at the court of George III and Queen Charlotte. Shelley lived in London all his life; his work is held in a number of collections, including that of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
