Posted on 03/04/2020 3:03:32 PM PST by mairdie
I agree on the composition. That’s why he couldn’t do the historical paintings that were always his goal. He was hated by Lawrence, the president of the academy (maybe because he charged less for his portraits) and Romney never applied for membership.
Not ghey. Quite the reverse I’d bet. He marries the landlady’s daughter while he’s a student and has a child six months later. Then he leaves for a couple years as a touring portrait painter. Comes back and then leaves permanently for London, but always supporting his family.
When 17 year old Emma Hart, already someone’s mistress for a while, shows up in London, Romney seems to go gaga over her. Paints her 40-60 times, last time on her wedding day. Then goes into a depression when she leaves London. I can’t get more than he died insane, his deserted wife taking him in for his last two years, but I’m thinking he was so young - maybe an std.
>>I’m thinking of trying Lawrence next as the contrast.
Joshua Reynolds, not Lawrence. Sorry.
Someone commented on YouTube about identification, so I id’d the first minute
1750, William Watson
1759, Painter Thomas Barrow
1760, A Woman
1760, Walter Strickland
1760, Charlotte Gunning, later Mrs Stephen Digby
1760, Mrs John Daws
1760, Mrs Marton and her son Oliver
1762, William Strickland in his library
1763, Thomas Greene
1764, Elizabeth, Lady Blunt
1765, James Ainsley
1765, Mary Hutton Rawlinson
1765, Mrs James Fletcher Fell
1766, Brothers Artists Peter and James Romney
1767, Peter Wodehouse with a dog
1767, Reverend Richard Stubl
1769, Sir John Chetwood and Lady Chetwood
Wow, what a story! The life of an artist is rarely an easy one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.