G eorge R omney
Beckside 1734 - 1802
22. Three sleeping figures
Drawn with the brush in brown wash over pencil
315 x 495 mm
Provenance:
Rome, Giuliano Briganti; Florence, private collection.
Romney was born in Lancashire on the 26 th of December 1734. His father, John Romney, a cabinetmaker, sent
him to school at Dendron, but George immediately appeared to be an indifferent student and was withdrawn
at the age of 11 and started working with his father. Very soon he proved to have a natural ability for drawing
and working the wood, including making violins, which he played throughout his all life. In 1755 at the age
of 21, George went to Kendal for four years apprenticeship with the artist Christopher Steele a portraitist who
had studied with the French artist Carlo Van Loo. In his early carrier he painted many portraits, landscapes and
historical subjects. In March 1762 he moved to London where he remained until 1799. Despite his success
George was never invited to join the Royal Academy, formed in 1768, though he was asked to exhibit there.
His early years in the capital were a struggle financially. In September 1764, he traveled to Paris to study the old
masters. In 1768 he made the acquaintance of Richard Cumberland, the dramatist, whose portrait he painted,
and who was helpful in introducing him to influential patrons. 1769 was a very important year for his career,
Romney exhibited a large portrait of Sir George Warren and family at the Free Society of Artists, which was greatly
admired and helped to lay the foundations of his future popularity. In 1772 the artist, now financially secure
decided to travel to Italy to study the great artists of the past. He spent 18 months studying in Rome returning
to London in July 1775 after an absence of over 2 years. On his return Romney was offered commissions by the
Duke of Richmond and his circle of friends, which helped turn the tide of fortune in the artist’s favor. He is best
known for his Lady Hamilton pictures. He met her in 1781 and seems to have some kind of liaison with her. He
painted over 60 portraits of her. In the summer of 1799 he became unwell dyeing in November 1802.
Romney was a most prolific draughtsman. A rich selection of his drawings can be found in The Art Museum of
Princeton University given by Dan Fellow Platt. Most of Romney’s drawings are rapid sketches, executed in a brush
technique this being very typical. The artist succeeds not only in summarizing all the essential characteristics of
his subject, but also in indicating the distribution of light as well as shadows. This is a typical rapid and powerful
study by Romney who has bound the three figures in a very voluptuous way.
( GG )