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.
Wow, what a story! The life of an artist is rarely an easy one.