John Monro 1715-1791 F. 1753

By Nathaniel Dance,

Short half length in a painted oval; grey powdered wig, heavily curled at the sides; broad dark eyebrows, brown eyes; dark brown waistcoat and coat; plain brown background; signed on the left by his shoulder, in black: N. Dance/Pinxit Ano/1769.

Previously catalogued as artist unknown, the signature not having been observed.

<p>Another portrait is recorded at Bethlem Hospital.</p>

Presented in 1857 by his great-grandson, Dr. Henry Monro

Exhibited at the National Portrait Exhibition, 1867; (596)

John Monro was the eldest son of James Monro. He limited his practice exclusively to insanity, and is said to have attained greater eminence and success in its treatment than any of his contemporaries. In 1783, while he was still in full practice, he was attacked with paralysis. His strong constitution, however, enabled him to overcome the first effects of his illness and resume work, but his vigour of both mind and body began to decline from then on. In 1787 his son Dr. Thomas Monro was appointed his assistant in Bethlem Hospital, and he then gradually retired from practice.

Dr. Monro had an elegant taste for the fine arts and he formed a considerable collection of books and engravings. He studied carefully the early history of engraving, and the specimens he found of the works of the earlier engravers were select and curious. From these, as well as from the communications of Dr. Monro, Mr. Strutt derived great assistance in the preparation of his History of Engravers. Horace and Shakespeare were Monro's favourite authors; his great fondness for reading proved a considerable resource to him in his later life.