John Francis Rigaud

[2] Having demonstrated an artistic ability, Rigaud studied with Claudio Francesco Beaumont of Turin, historical painter to the king of Sardinia.

He left Beaumont to travel Italy and study painting in Florence and in Bologna, where he was made a member of the Accademia Clementina in 1766.

[1] While in Rome, Rigaud became friends with the Swedish sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel and the Irish painter James Barry.

According to the Dictionary of National Biography, all these works were "executed in the fashionable Italian style of G. B. Cipriani and Biagio Rebecca, being mostly classical figures and imitations of bas-reliefs".

[1] His works at the Guildhall, representing "Providence", "Innocence", "Wisdom" and "Happiness" were painted at the expense of Alderman John Boydell.

[1] He was also commissioned to paint two religious works: a Descent from the Cross for the Roman Catholic Sardinian Embassy Chapel in London in 1780[1] and a fresco of the Ascension for the newly rebuilt church of St Martin Outwich[7] in 1797.

[1] On 10 February 1784 Rigaud was formally elected to the Royal Society, with Samson Breaking his Bands as his diploma work.

In 1795, he was appointed historical painter to Gustavus IV of Sweden and was made a member of the Royal Academy of Stockholm.