William Hoare

When Grisoni returned to Italy in 1728, Hoare went with him, travelling to Rome and continuing his studies under the direction of Francesco Imperiali.

Failing to establish himself in London, Hoare settled in Bath, an expanding spa town popular with the wealthier classes.

He obtained numerous commissions, the most important being for official portraits of social leaders of the day (including George Frideric Handel) and political men (e.g., Prime Ministers Robert Walpole and William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, c.1754).

He remained the favourite of his powerful patron the Duke of Newcastle, his family, followers and political associates.

Hoare's oil painting Dr Oliver and Mr Pierce examining patients with Paralysis, Rheumatism and Leprosy hung prominently at the Royal Mineral Water Hospital until 2019, when it was transferred to a new building at Bath's Royal United Hospital site.