The Portraits of the Academicians of the Royal Academy, 1771-72, oil on canvas, The Royal Collection by Johan Zoffany

Johann Zoffany was a German-born neoclassical painter who spent most of his career in England. He was known for his portraits, historical and mythological scenes, and genre paintings depicting everyday life. Zoffany was born in Frankfurt and studied art in Italy before settling in London in 1760. He quickly established himself as a successful portrait painter and was made a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768. Zoffany's paintings were characterised by their attention to detail and his ability to capture the personality and character of his subjects. He was particularly adept at capturing the interactions between people, whether in a formal portrait or a scene from everyday life. His work often included references to classical mythology and history, reflecting the neoclassical style that was popular at the time. Some of Zoffany's most famous works include his portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte, as well as his paintings of actors and actresses in the theatre. He also painted scenes from the court of King George III, including his famous painting "The Tribune of the Uffizi", which depicts a group of art lovers admiring the paintings in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Zoffany's work had a major influence on the development of neoclassical painting in England, and he remains an important figure in the history of European art.