Skip to main content

George Romney Paintings

English, 1734-1802

George Romney is best known as one of British society’s foremost portrait painters of the 18th century, rivaling other widely acknowledged portraitists such as Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds.

Born in 1734 in Dalton-on-Furness, Romney was the son of a cabinetmaker. In 1755, he began his artistic career as an apprentice to portrait painter Christopher Steele before traveling to northern England to establish a painting studio in Kendal. Romney’s talent in portraiture proved fruitful. By 1762, he had made enough money to set up a studio in London, where he became renowned for an “ability to paint flattering images regardless of personality.” 

During the 1760s, Romney had hoped to become a history painter but was unsuccessful. To refine and improve his technique, he traveled to Rome in 1773, where he spent two years studying the Old Masters, including Titian, Correggio and Raphael. While there, he was also influenced by the works of Swiss painter Henry Fuseli.  

Upon his return to London, in 1775, and with his newly honed painting style, Romney became even more popular among the British aristocracy and nobility. Although his primary aspiration was to make a living as a historical painter, Romney was in demand as a portraitist. His favorite subjects were children and women, particularly his muse, Emma Hart — who later became Lady Hamilton and mistress of Admiral Lord Nelson. Romney painted several Romantic portraits and drew many sketches of Lady Hamilton, whom he considered to represent the ideal of feminine beauty.

In his later years, Romney produced several portraits and drawings of Shakespearean subjects for John Boydell’s Shakespeare Gallery in 1790. 

Romney’s figurative works, portraits and prints are held in collections of numerous major museums and galleries, including the National Portrait Gallery in London, the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Collection in New York. In 2002, an exhibition commemorating the bicentenary of Romney’s death was organized by the National Museums Liverpool in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Gardens in San Marino, California. 

On 1stDibs, find a range of original George Romney drawings, paintings and prints.

to
3
1
1
3
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
4
1
1
4
3
5
5
5
4
3
1
1
5
5
2
2
10
754
753
745
672
4
4
1
Artist: George Romney
Portrait of Anne Evelyn - British 18thC Old master oil painting excellent prov.
Portrait of Anne Evelyn - British 18thC Old master oil painting excellent prov.

Portrait of Anne Evelyn - British 18thC Old master oil painting excellent prov.

By George Romney

Located in Hagley, England

This stunning British 18th century Old Master portrait oil painting, with exceptional provenance, is by noted artist George Romney. It was painted in 1788, commissioned by James Evelyn of Felbridge as it is of his younger daughter Anne, aged 20 years old. James was a Doctor of Law and Anne's mother was his second wife, Jane. Felbridge house, Anne's home, was in the village of Godstone in Surrey. This superb oil painting is a seated portrait of Anne, wearing a white dress with a green sash, her forearms exposed and her hands in her lap. Anne is blessed with the most wonderful long auburn curly hair and is visually stunning. Her body is partly turned away from the artist/viewer and she is slightly gazing down at us with confident, clear eyes. Anne is pictured in a landscape with a dramatic sky behind her. Romney's brushwork on her dress, hair and the background is superb. The delicate detailing of her facial features is also stunning. Sometimes Old Master portraits can be a little staid, but this one of Anne with her wild auburn hair and bold look is just magnificent. This is a fantastic example of George Romney's work and of an 18th century British Old Master with exceptional detailed provenance. Name plate states: Anne, younger daughter of James Evelyn of Fellbridge Esq. 1788, aged 20. Romney. Provenance. With Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, 3rd Earl of Liverpool (1784-1851) With The Hon. Henry Berkeley Portman (1860-1923), Later 3rd Viscount Portman; with Emma, Viscountess Portman (1862-1929) By 1926; with her daughter Lady Moyra Dawson-Damer (1897-1962) Thence by family descent. Painted in 1788. There are various labels verso. Mentioned in Lord Hawkesbury's Catalogues of Portraits at Compton Place and at Buxted Park, in Sussex, 1903, p.18, no. 3, at Buxted Park, as in the 'Dining Room, South Wall'. Further Bibliography: Gower (R. S.) Romney, London, 1904, p. 175 Kidson (Alex) George Romney, A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2015, I, p. 205, no. 422 (illus).Ward (Humphrey) and Roberts (William) Romney: A Biographical and Critical Essay, London: T Agnew & Sons, 1904, p. 51 Condition. Oil on canvas. Image size 30 inches by 24 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in an ornate gilt frame with name plate, 37 inches by 31 inches and in good condition. George Romney (1734-1802) was born in Dalton-on-Furness, Lancashire, on 15 December 1734, the third of the eleven children of John Romney and Anne Simpson. Leaving school at the age of eleven, he worked for eight years in his father's cabinetmaking workshop before being apprenticed to a local painter, Christopher Steele, with whom he served for two years, from 1755 to 1757, in Kendal, York, and Lancaster. He married a Kendal girl, Mary Abbot...

Category

1780s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Edward Addison, Esq., 1780s
Portrait of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Edward Addison, Esq., 1780s

Portrait of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Edward Addison, Esq., 1780s

By George Romney

Located in Henley-on-Thames, England

George Romney (1734-1802) Portrait of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Edward Addison, Esq., c.1780s Oil on canvas In a period carved and gilded swept frame 76.3 x 63.2 cm.; ...

Category

1780s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of Lady Caroline Price
Portrait of Lady Caroline Price

Portrait of Lady Caroline Price

By George Romney

Located in Miami, FL

DESCRIPTION: Perhaps the best Romney in private hands. If Vogue Magazine existed in the late 18th century, this image of Lady Caroline Price would be ...

Category

1970s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Portrait of Lady Anne Dutton, Oil on canvas, 18th English Century Painting
Portrait of Lady Anne Dutton, Oil on canvas, 18th English Century Painting

Portrait of Lady Anne Dutton, Oil on canvas, 18th English Century Painting

By George Romney

Located in London, GB

Oil on canvas, unsigned Image size: 22 x 20 inches (22.75 x 51 cm) Pierced gilt carved frame Provenance Commissioned by James Lenox Dutton (1713-1777) Sherborne House, Dorset Family descent This half-length portrait shows the sitter with her head and eyes looking over her shoulder, to the right. She is dressed in a delicate blue dress and blue shawl with her hair tied up away from her face. The composition of the painting is simple but effective; the woman stands out and is the undeniable focus of the viewer's attention. George Romney's artistic style is characterised by its focus on the beauty and elegance of human forms. Here, one can appreciate his ability to capture the delicacy of facial features and the soft textures of clothing. In addition, Romney has used a soft and diffuse brushstroke technique that creates a light and soft effect in the work. The dark and diffused background highlights the young woman's figure even more, creating an effect of depth and realism. The sitter of this painting is likely Anne Dutton, the daughter of James Lenox Dutton and Jane Bond. Anne Dutton (1743-1821) was the 13 x great great granddaughter of King Edward III, and married politician Samuel Blackwell. Anne sat for portraits by Francis Cotes which bear a striking resemblance to this portrait, and her father was a known patron of Romney. George Romney Romney was a fashionable portrait painter of late 18th-century English society. In his portraits Romney avoided delving into the character or sensibilities of the sitter. His great success with his society patrons depended largely on just this ability for dispassionate flattery. Line rather than colour dominates; the flowing rhythms and easy poses of Roman classical sculpture underlie the smooth patterns of his compositions. From 1755 to 1757 Romney was the pupil of Christopher Steele, an itinerant portrait and genre painter. Romney’s career began when he toured the northern English counties painting portraits for a few guineas each. In 1762 he went to London. His history painting The Death of General Wolfe won him an award from the Society of Arts; nonetheless he turned almost immediately to portrait painting. In 1764 he paid his first visit to Paris, where he was befriended by Joseph Vernet. Romney especially admired the work of Nicolas Le Sueur, whose use of the antique strongly appealed to him. In 1773 he went to Italy for two years, where he studied Raphael’s Stanze frescoes in Rome, Titian’s paintings...

Category

18th Century George Romney Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Related Items
Italian 18th Century Oval Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Saint Dominic
Italian 18th Century Oval Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Saint Dominic

Italian 18th Century Oval Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Saint Dominic

By Francesco de Mura

Located in Firenze, IT

This beautiful Italian 18th Century old masters oil painting on oval canvas with giltwood frame is attributed to Solimena and features a religious scene. In this splendid oval-shaped painting are depicted Saint Dominic...

Category

18th Century Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Study of a Head, Oil on Laid Paper, 17th Century, Unsigned, 39.5x29 cm
Study of a Head, Oil on Laid Paper, 17th Century, Unsigned, 39.5x29 cm

Study of a Head, Oil on Laid Paper, 17th Century, Unsigned, 39.5x29 cm

By Artus Wolfort

Located in Paris, Île-de-France

Artus WOLFAERTS (1581-1641) Study of a head Oil on paper, transferred on panel. 39,5 x 29 cm Unsigned Provenance Private collection, France Firstly thought to be from Rubens’s S...

Category

17th Century Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Laid Paper, Oil

Male and female portrait, both in silk kimono, possibly textile dealers
Male and female portrait, both in silk kimono, possibly textile dealers

Male and female portrait, both in silk kimono, possibly textile dealers

By Christoffel Lubieniecki

Located in Amsterdam, NL

CHRISTOFFEL LUBIENIECKI (1659-1729) Pair of portraits of a gentleman and a lady, both in silk kimono, before a country house (circa 1680) Indistinctly signed “C.......” on a box under the man’s left hand Oil on canvas, 79.5 x 67 cm each Both sitters are portrayed wearing a silk “Japanese” coat. During the second half of the seventeenth the Japanese silk coat, an adapted Japanese kimono, became a real vogue in the Dutch elite. The exclusive Dutch trade contacts with Japan can explain the popularity of the kimono-style silk coats in the Netherlands. Everybody who could afford one, dressed in such a fashionable and comfortable coat and, like the present sitters, some proud owners had themselves portrayed in a “Japanese” coat often together with an oriental carpet to underline their standing and international connections. These portraits are the work of the Polish-born portraitist Christoffel Lubieniecki (also known as Lubienitski, Lubinitski or Lubiniecki) Lubieniecki was first trained in Hamburg under Julian Stuhr and after 1675 in Amsterdam under Adriaen Backer and Gerard de Lairesse. He specialized in landscapes, generally of an Italianate character, and in portraits. The loving execution of these contented burghers, enjoying the garden vistas of their country house, places him alongside Amsterdam portraitists such as Constantijn Netscher and Michiel van Musscher...

Category

1680s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

18th century French Old Master Portrait of a woman in oriental costume
18th century French Old Master Portrait of a woman in oriental costume

18th century French Old Master Portrait of a woman in oriental costume

Located in Aartselaar, BE

French 18th century old master portrait of a majestic lady dressed "à la Turque" The sitter at the viewer with a kind and enigmatic smile and twinkling eyes. She looks elegant and kind, yet also has an intelligent and determined aura, reflecting the character of someone who is in charge of her own life and destiny. De Silvestre paid great attention to her spectacular outfit, which is striking in its portrayal of the sumptuous fabrics and their decorative richness. She is wearing a luxurious royal blue robe à la...

Category

1740s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

19th Century Portrait Of A Young Woman Oil On Canvas
19th Century Portrait Of A Young Woman Oil On Canvas

19th Century Portrait Of A Young Woman Oil On Canvas, 19th century

$5,006Sale Price|20% Off

H 39.38 in W 34.65 in D 3.94 in

19th Century Portrait Of A Young Woman Oil On Canvas

Located in York, GB

Fine 19th Century Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Young Woman in large gilt gesso frame .unsigned. Identity of the sitter as yet unknown. The artist has managed to capture her ethereal b...

Category

19th Century Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Oil

Answer Within
Answer Within

Answer Within

Located in Ibadan, Oyo

Painting Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, this is not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery)

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Banality - Self portrait with a banana - Original painting by Bruno Surdo

Banality - Self portrait with a banana - Original painting by Bruno Surdo

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Bruno Surdo Banality, 2026 oil on canvas 16h x 20w in 40.64h x 50.80w cm BRS152 Bruno A. Surdo b. Chicago, 1963 Bruno A. Surdo is a true native of Chicago. He studied drawing and ...

Category

2010s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Young Girl with a Basket of Fruit, Oil on Canvas, French, Circa 1790
Young Girl with a Basket of Fruit, Oil on Canvas, French, Circa 1790

Young Girl with a Basket of Fruit, Oil on Canvas, French, Circa 1790

By Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Located in Paris, Île-de-France

French School, late 18th century, circle of Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725–1805) Young Girl with a Basket of Fruit Oil on canvas, preparatory work, Unsigned 39 x 31 cm Provenance: Pri...

Category

1790s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Prince of Orange-Nassau" - After Michael Jansz. (Modern)
Portrait of Prince of Orange-Nassau" - After Michael Jansz. (Modern)

Portrait of Prince of Orange-Nassau" - After Michael Jansz. (Modern)

Located in Uppingham, GB

"Portrait of Frederick Hendrick, Prince of Orange-Nassau" - After Michael Jansz. van Miereveldt Dutch Golden Age royalty copy oil on canvas of van Miereveldt's iconic portrait. Excep...

Category

2010s Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Oil

Portrait of marquise de Flavacourt, mistress of Louis XV of France, 18th c. 1740
Portrait of marquise de Flavacourt, mistress of Louis XV of France, 18th c. 1740

Portrait of marquise de Flavacourt, mistress of Louis XV of France, 18th c. 1740

By Jean-Marc Nattier

Located in PARIS, FR

Portrait of Hortense-Félicité de Mailly-Nesle, Marquise de Flavacourt (1715-1799) Studio of Jean-Marc Nattier (Paris, 1685 - 1766), no visible signature Mid-18th century French Schoo...

Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Previously Available Items
18th Century, English Portrait
18th Century, English Portrait

18th Century, English Portrait

By George Romney

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large, softly painted, oil-on-canvas portrait of a British nobleman from the circle of important English artist, George Romney (1734-1802). The piece ...

Category

Late 18th Century George Romney Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

George Romney paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic George Romney paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by George Romney in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large George Romney paintings, so small editions measuring 25 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Giulio Di Sotto, and Matthew Cook. George Romney paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $8,855 and tops out at $1,495,000, while the average work can sell for $15,500.
Questions About George Romney Paintings
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George Romney studied under Christopher Steel from 1755-1757. Romney then went on to become one of the most fashionable portrait artists of his day. You can shop a selection of George Romney’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.