Hugh Douglas Hamilton (c.1724–1808)

The Irish portrait painter Hugh Douglas Hamilton was born in Dublin, Ireland around 1724. He studied drawing and painting under Robert West at the Royal Dublin Society art school, preferring the use of crayon and pastels during his early career.

Moving to London, Hamilton quickly established a reputation as a portraitist with portraits of the British royal family such as Queen Charlotte (1746) and others now resident in the British Royal Collection.

Portrait of a Woman

Later, Hugh Hamilton later travelled to Italy, where he spent 12 years in Rome and Florence. Returning to England and Ireland, he executed portraits of many of Ireland's prominent historical figures of the period including Dean Kirwan, whose portrait is displayed at the Royal Dublin Society, as well as a number of British nobles including George John, 2nd Earl Spencer and Lady Hannah Cowper (1787), and the exiled Charles Edward Stuart (1785).

More Information About Irish Painting

• For details of other portrait painters from Ireland, see: Irish Artists: Paintings and Biographies.
• For more about portraiture, see: Irish Art Guide.

• NOTE: To update Hugh Douglas Hamilton's biography, click Here.