Brief Biography-Nathaniel Hone, the Elder, was born of Dutch descent in Dublin in 1718. He moved to York early on and established himself as a portraitist in miniature enamels and painted in oil and watercolour. He married and lived in London from 1750, spending two years studying in Italy, after which he exhibited at the Royal Academy, becoming a founding member in 1768.
His painting, The Conjurer, caused controversy and the Academy refused to enter it into an exhibition.
He subsequently became the first Academician to set up an independent show, holding it in Saint Martin’s Lane. The painting is now in Dublin’s National Gallery, and the Sketch is in the Tate Gallery London. In addition, many of his paintings are in the National Portrait Gallery. His great-grand-nephew, Nathaniel Hone the Younger, and his great-great-great grand-niece, Eva Hone, were also reputable artists.