MARTIN ARCHER SHEE (1770--1850), a native of Dublin, commenced art studies in the Dublin Academy. In Dublin he became known as a portrait painter. He came to London in 1788, where he was introduced to Burke, and by him to Reynolds, who advised the young painter to study at the Royal Academy, advice which he somewhat unwillingly followed. Gradually winning his way, he became a successful portrait painter of men. In 1800, he was made a R.A. Though devoting himself to portraiture Martin Shee turned ever and again to subject-pictures, of which _Belisarius_, _Lavinia_, and a _Peasant Girl_ are specimens. A more ambitious work was _Prospero and Miranda_, exhibited in 1806. Shee owed his election to the Academy to his position as a portrait painter, and he justified the choice by his defence of the institution against those who attacked its privileges. In 1830, he was elected President, and knighted. Three of his works are in the National Gallery, _The Infant Bacchus_, and portraits of Morton the comedian, and _Lewis as the Marquis in the 'Midnight Hour.'_ The first illustrates Shee's later style; the picture of Lewis, painted in 1791, his early method. Besides paintings, Shee was the author of several literary productions, including a tragedy, a novel, "Rhymes on Art," and art criticisms. [Illustration: SWISS PEASANT GIRL. _By_ HOWARD.] HENRY HOWARD (1769--1847), though not intended originally for an artist, early showed a talent for drawing, became a pupil of Philip Reinagle and the Academy, where, two years later, he gained the silver medal of the Life School, and the gold medal in the Painting School for _Caractacus recognising the dead Body of his Son_, which Reynolds, then President, warmly praised. From 1791 to 1794 Howard travelled in Italy, and painted _The Death of Abel_ for the travelling studentship of the Academy, which he did not obtain. The promise of his youth was not fulfilled. "His works are graceful and pretty, marked by propriety, and pleasing in composition; his faces and expressions are good, his drawing is correct, but his style cold and feeble." (_Redgrave._) Most of Howard's works are small: he selected classic and poetic subjects, such as _The Birth of Venus_, _The Solar System_, _Pandora_, and _The Pleiades_, and occasionally he painted portraits. He was Secretary and Professor of Painting to the Royal Academy. In the National Gallery is _The Flower Girl_, a portrait of his own daughter.