Nathaniel Dance-Holland

Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland, 1st Baronet was an English painter and politician.

On his return to England, he became a successful portrait painter. With Hayman and his architect brother, George, he was one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768.

He was commissioned to paint King George III and his queen, plus Captain James Cook and actor David Garrick. His group portrait The Pybus Family (1769) is in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

In 1790, he gave up his artistic career and became Member of Parliament for East Grinstead in Sussex. He served this seat until 1802 when he moved to Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire, serving until 1806.

In 1807 he returned to East Grinstead, serving until his death in 1811. He was made a baronet in 1800, which became extinct upon his death.

Text courtesy of Wikipedia, 2024