Duke of Bedford

Description William Grimaldi, born in parish of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, on 26 august 1751 as son of Alexander Grimaldi and Ester Barton his wife and great-grandson of Allesandro Maria Grimaldi, the heir and representative of the nobel Genoese family of Grimaldi, who had settled in England after the bombardment of Genoa in 1684. William Grimaldi specialized in miniature painting, working only in watercolour up to 1785, when he made some essays in enamel painting. From 1777 to 1783 he was in Paris. He attracted the notice of sir Joshua Reynolds, many of whose works, notably his 'Master Bunbury' Grimaldi copied in miniature. Reynolds recommended him to many persons of distinction, including the Prince of Wales and prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. In 1790 he was appointed enamel painter to the duke of York, in 1791 to the Duchess of York and in 1804 to the Prince of Wales. Grimaldi was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy, from 1786 to 1824. He practiced in the country as well as in London but in 1825 settled at 16 Ebury Street, Chelsea where he died 27 may 1830. He married, 13 November 1783 Frances daughter of Louis Barker of Rochester by whom he was father of Stacey Grimaldi. Francis Russell, 5th Duke of bedford lived from 23 July 1765 till 2 march 1802. He was the eldest son ofFrancis Russell, marquess of Tavistock (died 1767) by his wife, Elisabeth (died 1768) daughter of William Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle, was born at Woburn Abbey and baptized 20 august 1765. In January 1771 he succeeded his grandfather as Duke of Bedford. The miniature portrait shown here was painted after his death and probably after a portrait by John Hoppner, the court painter of the prince of Wales, later King George IV, possibly on his request . Former German private collection