Oil on canvas, 139.7cm by 110.5cm.
A portrait of the 2nd Marquis of Exeter was exhibited by Shee at the Royal Academy in 1802 (no.122)
The father of the Irish-born artist considered a career in art highly unsuitable for a member of the Shee family.
Despite this, he studied at the Royal Academy schools in London and became a successful portrait painter.
Although his work was slightly eclipsed by that of some of his contemporaries, he nonetheless rose within the ranks of the Royal Academy.
He became its president upon the death of Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1830 and received a knighthood soon afterwards.
