Frederick Yeates Hurlstone

Frederick Yeates Hurlstone RBA (6 December 1800 – 10 June 1869) was an English painter. He was celebrated for his historical, portrait, and genre works, particularly scenes of Spanish and Italian rustic life. Trained under Sir William Beechey and Sir Thomas Lawrence, he won prestigious medals at the Royal Academy before focusing on exhibitions with the Society of British Artists, where he served as president from 1835 until his death. Known for works like The Last Sigh of the Moor and Italian Boys Playing the National Game of Mora, Hurlstone drew inspiration from travels to Italy, Spain, and Morocco, shifting to a "picaresco" style influenced by Murillo and Velázquez. Despite his opposition to the Royal Academy's management, he remained a prolific and influential figure, contributing over 300 works to exhibitions and earning international recognition, including a gold medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris.