Frank Dicksee’s artistic home remained the Royal Academy throughout his career, and he became ARA in 1881, and was elected a full RA ten years later. “Startled” was his Diploma work. The painter’s art, and taste were totally in sympathy with that of the public, and his career at this time was one of unbroken success. Dicksee’s paintings were often of historical scenes, involving drama, and sentiment. He was a competent portrait painter of men, and a great portrait painter of attractive women - happy was the fashionable lady who was painted by Dicksee!