Nathaniel Dance-Holland facts for kids

A self-portrait of Nathaniel Dance-Holland, painted around 1773.

Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland (born May 8, 1735 – died October 15, 1811) was a talented English painter. He later became a politician. He was also known as the 1st Baronet, a special title given by the King.

Becoming an Artist

A famous portrait of James Cook painted by Nathaniel Dance around 1775.

Nathaniel Dance was the third son of a famous architect named George Dance the Elder. Nathaniel first learned art from a teacher named Francis Hayman. Like many artists of his time, he also traveled to Italy to study art. While in Italy, he met another artist named Angelica Kauffman. He painted several pictures about history and old stories during this time.

A Successful Career

When Nathaniel Dance returned to England, he became a very successful portrait painter. He painted pictures of important people. In 1768, he helped start the Royal Academy with his teacher, Francis Hayman, and his architect brother, George Dance the Younger. This was a very important art group.

Nathaniel Dance was asked to paint King George III and the Queen. He also painted a famous portrait of Captain James Cook, who explored the world. Another person he painted was the well-known actor David Garrick. One of his group paintings, called The Pybus Family (from 1769), can be seen in a museum in Melbourne, Australia.

From Art to Politics

In 1790, Nathaniel Dance stopped painting to become a Member of Parliament. This means he became a politician who helped make laws for the country. He represented a place called East Grinstead in Sussex. He worked as an MP there until 1802.

After that, he represented a different area called Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire until 1806. He returned to East Grinstead in 1807 and served as an MP until he passed away in 1811. In 1800, he was given the special title of a baronet. This title ended when he died because he had no children to pass it on to.

His Family Life

Nathaniel Dance-Holland was married to Harriet. She was the daughter of Sir Cecil Bishopp, 6th Baronet. Harriet had been married before to a man named Thomas Dummer. Nathaniel's brother had designed a house for Thomas Dummer at Cranbury Park.

Nathaniel and Harriet lived at Little Wittenham Manor in Berkshire (which is now part of Oxfordshire). Harriet lived until 1825, outliving Nathaniel. His nephew, also named Sir Nathaniel Dance, was a brave officer in the East India Company. He was famous for his actions in a naval battle called the Battle of Pulo Aura in 1804.