William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833)

William Owen (1769 - 1825)
19th century unknown

Mezzotint

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection
  • About the artist
    William Owen, portrait painter, from Ludlow, Shropshire, was the son of a hairdresser and book seller. He moved to London in his 20s and was apprenticed to a coach-painter, before entering the Royal Academy Schools in 1791. He married the daughter of a shoemaker, thought to be wealthy, but declared insolvent at death. This left Owen bankrupt and imprisoned at Dover for his debts. He nonetheless became a member of the Academy in 1806 and Painter to the Prince of Wales in 1810, although the Prince never sat for him. He was later disabled by an infection of the spine and unable to paint after 1820. Aged 55, he died of poisoning when a chemist’s assistant mistakenly gave him opium. Many of his paintings were finished by Edward Daniel Leahy.
  • Explore
    People
    William Wentworth, 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam Fitzwilliam (1748 - 1833)
    Places
    Subjects
    male portrait, Earl
    Materials & Techniques
    mezzotint
  • Details
    Artist
    William Owen (1769 - 1825)
    19th century unknown
    Title
    William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833)
    Date
    Medium
    Mezzotint
    Dimensions
    height: 40.50 cm, width: 32.70 cm
    Acquisition
    origin uncertain
    GAC number
    18229