Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) was a portrait painter born in Bristol, and the youngest of 16 children. In 1772 the family moved to Devizes where Lawrence’s father was landlord at The Bear Inn. Thomas went to school in one of the buildings that is now the Museum.
Thomas Lawrence was elected as a Royal Academician in 1815 and rapidly became the foremost portrait painter of his day, being appointed portrait painter to George III.
Written on the back is the note ‘Be pleased to keep this portrait from the Sun and Damp. T Lawrence. Pinx. 1784.’.
