Was this house once a palace of art? It certainly was. We’re standing before Romney’s House. A blue plaque marks it as the former home of George Romney. This George Romney Blue plaque is at 5 Holly Bush Hill. The plaque tells us that George Romney lived here.
George Romney was a fashionable portrait painter. He lived from 1734 to 1802. Romney avoided delving into the character of his sitters. His success depended on his ability for dispassionate flattery. Line dominates his paintings rather than colour. The flowing rhythms of Roman classical sculpture underlie his compositions.
George Romney was born in Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire. From 1755 to 1757 he was a pupil of Christopher Steele. Steele was an itinerant portrait painter. Romney toured northern English counties. He painted portraits for a few guineas each. In 1762 he went to London. His history painting The Death of General Wolfe won an award. He then turned to portrait painting.
In 1773, George Romney travelled to Italy. He studied Raphael’s frescoes in Rome. He also admired Titian’s paintings in Venice. Travel abroad matured his art. A new gracefulness appeared in his portraits.
George Romney designed this house. It was built in 1796. He wanted a place to exhibit his work. He also wanted to display his Grand Tour finds. This building served as both a home and a studio. However the cost almost bankrupted him.
In 1801, George Romney sold the house. In 1807 it was enlarged. It became the Hampstead Assembly Rooms. Dickens Constable and Elizabeth Fry held meetings here. By 1929 the house was crumbling. Sir Clough Williams-Ellis saved it. He lived here until 1948.
Raymond Russell bought the house in 1948. He was a musician. He used it for concerts. He also housed his collection of harpsichords here.
In 1952, Eve and Derek Faraday bought Romney’s House. They founded Star Sound Studio. It was Britain’s first independent recording studio. They also lived here. Artists like Vera Lynn and the Beatles visited. Even Frank Sinatra and the Rolling Stones came here.
Romney’s House is now a Grade 1 listed private house. This George Romney Blue plaque marks a place of art innovation and social gatherings.