RICHARD WESTALL, R.A. (HERTFORD 1765-1836 LONDON)

Richard Westall enrolled at the Royal Academy Schools in 1785 and became a prolific exhibitor at the Academy's exhibitions. His watercolours of picturesque landscapes were admired by his contemporaries, but increasingly he undertook figurative subjects, including contributions to Boydell's 'Shakespeare Gallery', Fuseli's 'Milton Gallery', and episodes in the life of Lord Nelson. On a smaller scale he was much in demand as a book illustrator. In his latter years he tutored the young Princess Victoria in drawing.