Portrait of Sir George Howland Beaumont

Sir George Howland Beaumont (1753-1827), was a landscape artist, friend and patron of artists and writers, connoisseur and collector of Old Master paintings, and a Member of Parliament. Beaumont had known the artist, Reynolds, since his student days, and over the years Reynolds became his confidant and mentor. Beaumont’s commitment to the arts was due in large part to the guidance he received from Reynolds. Beaumont eventaully bequeathed 16 paintings to his country, creating the foundation of the National Gallery in London.