Biography for Francis Towne

Employment

Apparently born in Exeter, Devon and, while exhibiting in London from 1762, remained working and teaching in the city until 1780. In 1775 he first exhibited at the Royal Academy and, despite numerous attempts to be elected a Royal Academician, he failed on every occasion. He made a tour of Wales in 1777. He travelled to Italy in 1780, painting mainly in Rome and Naples, with the artists William Pars (1742-1782) and John 'Warwick' Smith (1749-1810). On his marriage to a French dancer he settled in London in 1807, and remained there until his death, continuing to make sketching tours around England and Wales.