Richard Morton Paye (British 1750 - 1821)The badminton playerOil on canvas126 x 100cm (49½ x 39¼ in.)CHECK E. W. Clayton, 'Richard Morton Paye', The Connoisseur, vol. XXXVII, December 1913Richard Morton Paye exhibited portraits and models in wax at the Royal Academy from 1773 and exhibited them regularly until 1798. He also exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1783. He had skill as a modeller and chaser, which accounts for a certain sculpturesque feeling in his pictures and especially excelled in painting children, both as single portraits and in groups. A number of these were engraved by John Young who did much to assist the painter. Paye was greatly helped in early life by the Rev. Joseph Holden Potts, vicar of Kensington and archdeacon of Middlesex, who purchased many of his works. Subsequently he was patronised by Dr. John Wolcot who did much to promote Paye's success as a painter, until a breach took place between them. When left to his own resources Paye quickly sank into poverty and neglect, and was eventually crippled by illness, though he continued painting after losing the use of his right arm. He received assistance from the artists' benevolent fund but died quite forgotten and neglected in December 1821. His son and daughter both painted miniatures and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1798 to 1808. Medium Oil on canvas