John Hoppner R.A. 1758-1810. British School 18th.Century. Charming Portrait study of a young woman Circa.1785, depicted bust-length wearing a headdress, signed verso. Pencil and Chalk. 26 by 20cm, framed. Provenance: Ex. Sir John & Lady Witt Collection Sotheby's, 14th October 1985.
Hoppner was born in London, the son of German parents, his mother was one of the German attendants to the Royal Family, King George showed a fatherly interest and patronage of the young boy that gave rise to rumours, quite unfounded, that he may have been his illegitimate son.
Originally a boy chorister of the Chapel Royal he showed a strong inclination for art and in 1775 Hoppner entered the Royal Academy Schools, being awarded in 1778 The silver medal for life drawing, and in 1782 the Academy's highest award, the gold medal for historical painting. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1780. His earliest love was for landscape, but necessity obliged him to turn to the more lucrative business of portrait painting, much in the tradition of Sir Joshua Reynolds. At once successful, he had throughout his career the most fashionable and wealthy sitters, and was the greatest rival to Sir Thomas Lawrence. Patronised by The Prince of Wales (later George IV) many of his finest portraits were hung in the state apartments at St James's Palace notably those of the Prince himself, the Duke and Duchess of York, Lord Rodney and Lord Nelson.