(bapt. Oakford, Devon, 5 Nov. 1742; d London, 4 July 1821). English painter, mainly of miniatures. A friend of the Prince of Wales (later Prince Regent), Cosway was by far the most fashionable miniaturist of his day, imparting to sitters an air of great elegance. The larger portraits in oils that he occasionally painted are considered less successful. In 1781 he married Maria Hadfield (1760–1838), who was a miniaturist and etcher.
Text source: The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (Oxford University Press)
