Bone

Bone, HENRY, enamel-painter, was born at Truro, Cornwall, 6th February 1755. Apprenticed to a Plymouth china-manufacturer, he removed with his master the year after to Bristol, and here he worked for six years at the famous Bristol china-works until their failure drove him to London to push his fortune. He soon found employment in enamelling watches and fans, and afterwards in making enamel portraits, brooches, &c. A portrait of his wife, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1780, first attracted public attention; and he soon obtained a position which rendered it no longer necessary for him to continue his drudgery for the jewellers. In 1801 he was appointed enamel-painter to George III., and elected associate of the Royal Academy. Elected R.A. in 1811, he exhibited in that year his large enamel, 'Bacchus and Ariadne,' after Titian, which was sold for 2200 guineas, and is now in the National Gallery. From this time, until his eyesight failed in 1831, he produced a series of large and beautiful works, among them the well-known 'Death of Dido,' and 'Hope Nursing Love,' after Sir J. Reynolds. He also executed a large number of historical portraits of the time of Elizabeth, besides a series of portraits of the Russell family. He died December 17, 1834. His works are now eagerly sought after by collectors, and are esteemed among the very best examples of his particular art.