The Connoisseur, a Capriccio Painting with Connoisseurs Admiring Thomas Hope's Antique Sculpturers Signed and Dated Michael William Sharp 1811 (c) Phillips

In regency england during the year 1811, michael william sharp, a prominent portrait painter and former student of the famous royal artist, sir william beechey painted a group portrait featuring thomas hope, his wife louisa, john kemble, and other notable members of the drury lane theater company shown together admiring two of hope's most famous antique sculptures. Painted in 1811, it was first exhibited at the annual exhibition of british artists in the gallery of the british institution in pall mall, london in 1812. Date: 1811.