Peter Romney facts for kids

Peter Romney (born June 1, 1743 – died May 1777) was an English painter. He was known for his portraits, often using crayons.

Early Life and Training

Peter Romney was born in Dalton-in-Furness, England, on June 1, 1743. He was the younger brother of the famous painter, George Romney. From a young age, Peter showed a natural talent for art.

When he was 16, his brother George had just started his own painting business in Kendal. George took Peter on as his apprentice. This was a great chance for Peter to learn from an experienced artist.

Moving to London and Challenges

In 1762, George Romney moved to London. Peter stayed in Kendal for a while, painting portraits for a guinea each. This was a good start for his career.

A few years later, in 1765, George visited his family. He decided to take Peter back to London with him. However, Peter found it hard to make a living in the big city. He struggled to earn money and became a financial worry for his brother. Eventually, George had to send Peter back home.

A Traveling Artist

Back home, Peter found a way to earn money. He copied art prints using oil paints. Then, he held raffles to sell his copies. This helped him raise enough money to move to Manchester.

In Manchester, Peter tried to establish himself as a portrait painter. But he didn't find much success there. So, he moved again, this time to Ipswich. His career in Ipswich was also cut short due to financial difficulties.

Later Life and Legacy

Peter Romney then tried his luck in Cambridge. Again, he faced money problems. His brother George, always supportive, generously helped him by paying off his debts. Peter then moved to Southport to start fresh.

Sadly, the stress of his money troubles and other personal challenges affected his health. Peter Romney passed away in May 1777, when he was only 33 years old.

Peter often chose to paint with crayons. This helped him avoid direct competition with his brother, who mainly used oils. At one point, people thought Peter might become as famous as another well-known artist, Francis Cotes. Some of his important clients included Lord John Clinton, Lord Pelham, Lord Hyde, and Lord and Lady Montford.

A painting by George Romney, showing his two brothers, James and Peter, was sold at Christie's in 1894.