George Jones (1786-1869), Painter and army officer

Sitter in 2 portraits
Artist associated with 12 portraits
George Jones was the son of a mezzotint engraver, and trained in art. He studied at the Royal Academy schools at the beginning of the nineteenth century, before serving in the Peninsular War. In 1820 the British Institution awarded Jones a prize of 200 guineas for a painting of the Battle of Waterloo. He produced a variation on the theme two years later, and the Institution awarded him a further 200 guineas. He was elected a Royal Academician in 1824. Jones was an important figure in the Academy, becoming Librarian in 1834, and subsequently Keeper (1840-50). While in this post, he wrote a book on the sculptor Francis Chantrey.