Henry Bone (1755-1834),

• Was an English enamel painter.
• Bone who was officially employed by three successive monarchs, George III, George IV and William IV.
• In his early career he worked as a porcelain and jewelry painter. • He was elected a Royal Academician and produced the largest enamel paintings ever seen up to that time.
• In 1789, he exhibited "A Muse and Cupid", the largest enamel painting ever executed up to that time.
• In 1800 he was appointed enamel painter to the Prince of Wales; in 1801 he was made an associate of the Royal Academy and enamel painter to George III, continuing to hold the appointment during the reigns of George IV and William IV.
• On 15 April 1811 he was elected a royal academician, and shortly afterwards produced a still larger enamel (eighteen inches by sixteen), after Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne.
• More than 4000 people saw the work at Bone's house.
• The picture was sold to Mr. G. Bowles of Cavendish Square for 2,200 guineas, the sum of which was paid (either wholly or partly) by a cheque drawn on Fauntleroy's Bank.
• Bone cashed the cheque on his way home, just in time, as the next day financial difficulties caused the bank to suspend payments!
• He is said to have been "a man of unaffected modesty and generosity; friendship and integrity adorned his private life".
• Francis Chantrey carved a bust of him, and John Opie, John Jackson, and George Harlow all painted his portrait.
• Richard Dagley was a friend.
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