Portrait of John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838), seated three-quarter-length, in a black coat and white stock

William Owen moved to London in 1786 and was apprenticed to Charles Catton R.A. for the next seven years. By the time he entered the Royal Academy in 1791, Owen had shown considerable talent for figure painting, a talent that was much encouraged by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Elected R.A. in 1806, Owen became portrait painter to the Prince of Wales following Hoppner's death in 1810, and was appointed Principal painter to the Prince Regent in 1813. Among Owen's sitters were some of the most prominent public figures of the early 19th century, including William Pitt, Sir John Soane and Lord Grenville.