Brief Biography-Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland, a portraitist and politician, was the son of architect George Dance who built the London Mansion House. He studied under Francis Hayman and in Italy under Pompeo Girolamo Batoni. He also came under the influence of Angelica Kauffman, a portraitist who became a founder of the Royal Academy in 1768, along with Nathaniel. Being a successful portraitist in England, he painted King George III and other notables.
In 1776, he received a considerable inheritance through his marriage to Mrs Drummer, the widow of a Hampshire Gentleman. The legacy encouraged him to enter politics and cease painting for a living. He became a Member of Parliament for East Grinstead in Sussex for the remainder of his life. He added ‘Holland’ to his name when he became a baronet. Throughout his political life, his indulgence in art consisted merely of random sketches for personal acquaintances.