Horace Hone

Place: London

Born: 1754

Death: 1825

Biography:

Horace Hone (11 February 1754 – 25 May 1825) was an English painter of miniatures. He was born in Frith Street, London, and was the eldest son of Nathaniel and Mary Hone (née Earle) of York, England. His father was a miniaturist who gave Hone his initial training. He entered the Royal Academy school on 9 October 1770, when his age was given as '17 Feb 11th next'. He first exhibited with the Royal Academy in 1772, and in 1779 was elected an associate. Hone married Sophia Dapper and had one daughter, Mary Sophia Matilda. He lived and worked in Dublin from 1782 to 1804, and then moved to Bath and later established a studio in Dover Street, London. He continued to work and exhibit with the Royal Academy until 1822. After this, Hone suffered with mental illness, which was documented by Joseph Farington in his diary. In 1820, he applied successfully for a pension from the Royal Academy, citing pending financial ruin. Hone died in his home on Dover Street on 24 May 1825, from an illness related to the gout he had suffered from for a number of years. He is buried at St George's chapel, Bayswater Road, London.