Francis Wheatley was an English portrait and landscape painter, born in 1747 in London. He studied at the Royal Academy schools and began his career as an illustrator and painter for the theater. In the early stages of his career, Wheatley made a name for himself as a talented portraitist and soon became popular among the middle classes for his depictions of contemporary life.
Wheatley spent some time in Ireland, where he produced a significant body of work, including portraits and landscapes, which were well received. Upon his return to England, he continued to paint portraits but also began to focus on creating paintings of social and rural scenes, which are among his best-known works today.
One of his most famous series of paintings is the 'Cries of London,' which illustrates the street vendors of the city, giving a vivid account of urban life in the late 18th century. These paintings were popular in his time and were turned into prints, which helped to spread his reputation.
Despite his commercial success, Wheatley struggled with financial difficulties throughout his life. He became an associate of the Royal Academy in 1790 and a full member in 1791, but his later years were overshadowed by debt. Wheatley's work was characterized by a soft palette and a sense of elegance, which appealed to the tastes of the Georgian public.
Francis Wheatley died in 1801, leaving behind a body of work that provides important insights into the society and culture of his time. His paintings are held in many important art collections and continue to be studied and appreciated for their historical value and artistic merit.
