Sir William Beechey (1753-1839)

• Was a leading English portraitist during the golden age of British painting.
• Beechey was born at Burford, Oxfordshire.
• He was the son of William Beechey, a solicitor, and his wife Hannah Read.
• Both parents died when he was still quite young, and he and his siblings were brought up by his uncle Samuel.
• Beechey was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools in 1772.
• He studied under Johan Zoffany.
• He first exhibited at the Academy in 1776.
• In 1782 he moved to Norwich, where he gained several commissions.
• By 1787, he had returned to London.
• Beechey's career during this period is marked by a succession of adept and restrained portraits in the tradition of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
• Beechey was known for his generosity to students.
• He took a close interest in the career of the young John Constable.
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