George Romney

Sitterback to top

• George Romney (1734-1802), Portrait painter. Sitter in 5 portraits, Artist associated with 156 portraits.

Artistback to top

• George Romney (1734-1802), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 156 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait was painted in 1784 when Romney was fifty and staying at Eartham, the home of his friend, the poet, William Hayley. He gave the painting to Hayley who said it successfully conveyed Romney's 'pensive vivacity and profusion of ideas.' In this unfinished self-portrait Romney's crossed arms and unflinching gaze reveal a watchful figure wrapped up in his own thoughts.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Alex Kidson, George Romney 1734-1802, 2002 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 30 May - 18 August 2002), p. 181
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 69
• Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 409
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 105
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 531
• Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 15

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• George Romney (30 May 2002 - 18 August 2002)

Subject/Themeback to top

• Self-portraits