The son of Samuel and Elizabeth Lane, he was born at King's Lynn on 26 July 1780.

He studied under Joseph Farington and then under Sir Thomas Lawrence who employed him as assistant.

[2] Lane first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1804, secured a large practice, and was a constant contributor for more than fifty years, sending in all 217 works.

He lived in London at 60 Greek Street, Soho until 1853, and then retired to Ipswich; he sent his last contribution to the academy in 1857.

[2] His portraits included: Lord George Bentinck for the King's Lynn Guildhall; James Saumarez, 1st Baron de Saumarez for the United Service Club; Sir George Pollock and Sir John Malcolm for the Oriental Club; Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond; Charles Blomfield, bishop of London; Thomas Clarkson for Wisbech Town Hall; Philip Broke for the East Suffolk Hospital; Thomas Coke, for the Norwich Corn Exchange; Luke Hansard for the Stationers' Company; Thomas Telford, Edmond Wodehouse, General William Loftus (MP), his wife Lady Elizabeth Loftus, George Manby and other prominent persons.