Sir William Beechey, portrait painter and pupil of Johann Zoffany, was greatly influenced by Sir Joshua Reynolds. After five years working in Norwich, Beechey settled in London in 1787. He was appointed portrait painter to Queen Charlotte in 1793. Although overshadowed by the young Thomas Lawrence, he continued a successful portrait practice for many years. Amongst his portrait sitters were Rose’s friends Nelson and George III. Beechey’s oil portraits of them, as well as the portrait of George Rose, are in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. Scores of engravings were made after Beechey’s paintings; the draughtsman and engraver William Evans reproduced many of Beechey’s portraits including that of King George.
Updated 2023
