The son of an apothecary in Soho, Barron gained some fame as a painter and amateur musician. He was a student of the renowned Joshua Reynolds until 1766, and in the 1780s had some paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy. He was "considered the best amateur [violin] performer of his time."1
Boswell mentions meeting Barron in the company of Lord Eglinton on May 4, 1763. Barron was described as "a boy of great genius both as a painter and a musician, [who] will probably be a man of great eminence. But at present he is a little black trifling being, so that his being in my company is a punishment to me". Although Barron was most likely very talented, he made no name for himself - which apparently was rather usual for students of Reynolds, who despite being a great painter was definitely not a good teacher.2