(1708 - 1787)
Pompeo Girolamo Batoni was born in Lucca, Italy; the son of a goldsmith. He trained with his father, before travelling to Rome in 1727 to study painting. Here, his drawings from the antique were purchased by British collectors. From the 1730s, he produced altarpieces for churches in Rome. By 1740 he was firmly established as a history painter. However, Batoni is most recognised for almost 50 years of painting the portraits of British Grand Tour travellers and, of some 275 surviving portraits by the artist, about 75 per cent show British or Irish sitters. His studio was also visited by royal and sovereign sitters and his portraits were distinct for their inclusion of antiquities and views of Rome. Batoni died in Rome at the age of 79.
