Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Spicer, Henry
SPICER, HENRY (1743?–1804), miniature-painter, was born at Reepham, Norfolk, about 1743, and became a pupil of Gervase Spencer [q. v.] He worked both on ivory and in enamel, and was one of the ablest miniaturists of the period. He was a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and exhibited with them from 1765 to 1783; in 1773 he was secretary to the society. He exhibited for the first time at the Royal Academy in 1774, and about 1777 went to Dublin, where he resided for some years, and was largely employed. From 1792 Spicer was an annual contributor to the Royal Academy until his death, which occurred in London on 8 June 1804. He held the appointment of painter in enamel to the Prince of Wales. Spicer's works are of admirable quality, full of character and finely coloured. His portraits of Moody and William Smith, the actors, George Downing, the dramatist, and Mrs. Chambers were engraved.
[Redgrave's Dictionary of Artists; Graves's Dictionary of Artists, 1760–1793; Exhibition Catalogues.]