Francis Hayman (1708 – 1776): The Painter of Vauxhall and Shakespeare Francis Hayman, born in Exeter in 1708, stands as a pivotal figure in the annals of English art history—a painter whose meticulous observation of contemporary life blended seamlessly with the grandeur of theatrical productions and the elegance of aristocratic interiors. He wasn’t merely documenting his era; he was actively shaping its visual landscape. Early L…