Date: 1774

Medium: Oil on canvas

Measurements: H 250 x W 145 cm (E)

Artist: Nathaniel Dance-Holland

Work type: Painting

Acquisition method: on permanent loan from Worcester Museum and Art Gallery

Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of Worcestershire 1751-1808. Recorder of Coventry 1774 and of Worcester 1796. He was buried in New Church, Croome, built at his expense.

The son of the architect George Dance, Nathaniel Dance Holland showed early artistic promise and was apprenticed to the painter Francis Hayman. Like every aspiring artist of the day, he then traveled to Italy, where he spent no less than 9 years studying Italian masters. During this period he conceived a passion (unrequited!) for the famous lady painter Angelica Kauffman. On his return to Great Britain, he soon established a considerable reputation as a painter of portraits, as well as history and genre scenes.

In 1768 he helped found the Royal Academy, where he was to exhibit regularly throughout his career. Nathaniel Dance Holland was elected a Member of Parliament in 1800.

Location: Guildhall Secon Floor – Assembly Room