Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Packe, Christopher (fl.1796)
PACKE or PACK, CHRISTOPHER (fl. 1796), painter, born at Norwich in 1750, was son of a quaker merchant belonging to a family which claimed connection with that of Sir Christopher Packe [q. v.], lord mayor of London. Pack showed an early taste for painting, but at first was engaged in his father's business. On that, however, being seriously injured by pecuniary losses, Pack adopted painting as a profession, and came to London. He made friends with John Hamilton Mortimer [q. v.], and also obtained an introduction to Sir Joshua Reynolds, making some good copies of the latter's portraits. In 1786 he exhibited a portrait of himself at the Royal Academy, and in 1787 two more portraits. He then returned to Norwich to practise as a portrait-painter, and shortly after went to Liverpool. Having a recommendation from Reynolds to the Duke of Rutland, then viceroy in Dublin, he resided there for some years, and obtained success as a portrait-painter. About 1796 he returned to London, and exhibited at the Royal Academy two portraits, together with ‘Gougebarra, the Source of the River Lee, Ireland,’ and ‘Edward the First, when Prince of Wales, escaping from Salisbury, is rescued by Mortimer.’ He continued to practise after this, but did not again exhibit. The date of his death has not been ascertained.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Pasquin's Artists of Ireland; Royal Academy Cat.]