Brief Biography-Francis Cotes from London began his career as a pastellist. The portraitist George Knapton tutored him. He set up his business in Cork Street, London, where his father had his Chemist shop. His work was mainly pastels; however, after 1760, he changed to oil painting and rivalled Joshua Reynolds with his portraits.
He moved to a big house in Cavendish Square with a studio and became one of the founders of the Society of Artists; he eventually held the office of director. The Royal Academy invited him to enrol, but he sadly died beforehand at the young age of forty-four.