Francis Hayman (1708 – 1776): The Painter of British Grandeur Francis Hayman, born in Exeter in 1708, stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of Georgian England—a painter whose meticulous observation and masterful technique captured the spirit of his era, cementing his legacy as one of the Royal Academy’s founding members and shaping British art for decades to come. Early Life & Artistic Training: Hayman's formative years were spent honing his craft under Robert Brown, a respected portraitist in Exeter. This initial instruction instilled in him a foundational understanding of…