Artist. Born in Geneva to French parents. His father became a professor at the Royal Military College in Sandhurst, and the family moved to England. He joined the Associated Artists in Water-Colours in 1797. In the Academy, he was elected an associat (ARA) in 1812, then academician (RA) in 1816. His work became highly fashionable. He came to the attention of Queen Victoria and she asked him to paint her first visit to the House of Lords in 1837. Afterwards, the queen appointed him as painter in watercolour. The head and shoulders of this portrait were featured on many British colonial postage stamps. A bachelor his whole life he died at Campden Hill, in Kensington, London. (bio by: Shock)