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This unknown boy’s relaxed, informal pose is typical of Wilson‘s approach to portraiture. In about 1729 Wilson moved to London to study with the portrait painter Thomas Wright. Wilson enjoyed moderate success as a portrait painter in his early career, but during his stay in Italy he decided to turn his attention to landscape painting instead. This was a bold decision, as portraiture was the more profitable option for British artists at that time, and landscape painting was generally considered an inferior pursuit.