Brief Biography-Johann Zauffely, or Zauffelij, known as Zoffany, was born in Regensburg, Germany, in 1733. After studying locally, he went to Italy, where he remained for twelve years and came under the influence of Anton Raphael Mengs. When Zoffany returned to Germany, he entered a troubled marriage that led him to England in 1758. After some tribulations, a friendship with David Garrick enabled him to paint theatrical scenes, which led to his meteoric rise. He eventually came to the attention of King George III and, in 1796, was made a Royal Academician. In 1770, the King granted him three hundred pounds to go to Florence, where he painted The Tribuna of the Uffizi during his stay until 1778. After which, Maria Theresa dispatched him to paint the Royal Family of Tuscany, and in Vienna, he painted several portraits of royalties. Zoffany returned to London in 1779, where Richard Wilson inserted background landscapes into some of his theatrical works. However, he ventured to India four years later, where he met with much success painting nobility. Zoffany spent his last years in England from 1790 but painted with less enthusiasm than in his early years due to failing health. He died in Strand-on-the-Green in 1810.