Hugh Howard (painter)

He came with his father to England in 1688, and showing a taste for painting joined in 1697 the suite of Thomas Herbert, eighth earl of Pembroke, one of the plenipotentiaries for the treaty of Ryswyck, on a journey through Holland to Italy.

[2] Howard remained in Italy about three years studying with Carlo Maratti who has been described as the last painter in the Raphael tradition.

Howard was appointed to the sinecure post of keeper of the state papers, and then paymaster of the works belonging to the crown.

[3] The salaries of his new jobs combined with his private income far outweighed his costs, and Howard invested in purchasing works of art: medals, drawings and prints.

He left his collections to his only surviving brother, Robert Howard, Bishop of Elphin, who had them transported to Ireland.