Search the Collection

Sir Joshua Reynolds

(1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 40 portraits
Artist associated with 1425 portraits
Reynolds was the first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. In his attempt to raise the status of portraiture, he created the 'Grand Manner' which borrowed from classical antiquity and the Old Masters to fill his portraits with moral and heroic symbolism. An incredible socialite, social climber and self-promoter, Reynolds used his contacts to advance himself. Appointed President of the newly established Royal Academy in 1768, his annual lectures - or Discourses on Art - had a lasting impact on the contemporary theory of art and practice.

5 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 41

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1747-1749
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 41

The Academicians of the Royal Academy, by John Sanders, after  Johan Joseph Zoffany - NPG 1437

The Academicians of the Royal Academy

by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
watercolour and ink, 1773, based on a work of 1772
NPG 1437

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by D.P. Pariset, sold by  Ryland and Bryer, sold by and after  Pierre-Étienne Falconet - NPG D20563

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by D.P. Pariset, sold by Ryland and Bryer, sold by and after Pierre-Étienne Falconet
stipple engraving, (1768)
NPG D20563

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by James Watson, published by  Robert Sayer, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39696

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by James Watson, published by Robert Sayer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 10 July 1770 (circa 1766?)
NPG D39696

The Academicians of the Royal Academy, by Richard Earlom, after  Johan Joseph Zoffany - NPG D21304

The Academicians of the Royal Academy

by Richard Earlom, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D21304

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by L. Campo-Antico, published by  F. Savoli, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39698

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by L. Campo-Antico, published by F. Savoli, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, (1775)
NPG D39698

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by and published by Charles Townley, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39699

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by and published by Charles Townley, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 30 June 1777 (1775)
NPG D39699

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by and published by Valentine Green, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39705

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by and published by Valentine Green, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1 December 1780 (1780)
NPG D39705

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by and published by John Keyse Sherwin, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D34871

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by and published by John Keyse Sherwin, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, 1784 (1775)
NPG D34871

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by and published by John Keyse Sherwin, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D14270

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by and published by John Keyse Sherwin, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, 1784 (1774?)
NPG D14270

'Adoration of the Shepherds' (Thomas Jervais; Sir Joshua Reynolds), by Georg Siegmund Facius, by  Johann Gottlieb Facius, published by  John Boydell, after  Josiah Boydell, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39706

'Adoration of the Shepherds' (Thomas Jervais; Sir Joshua Reynolds)

by Georg Siegmund Facius, by Johann Gottlieb Facius, published by John Boydell, after Josiah Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple and line engraving, published 1 September 1785 (1783-1785)
NPG D39706

'Adoration of the Shepherds' (Thomas Jervais; Sir Joshua Reynolds), by Georg Siegmund Facius, by  Johann Gottlieb Facius, published by  John Boydell, after  Josiah Boydell, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D14926

'Adoration of the Shepherds' (Thomas Jervais; Sir Joshua Reynolds)

by Georg Siegmund Facius, by Johann Gottlieb Facius, published by John Boydell, after Josiah Boydell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple and line engraving, published 1 September 1785 (1783-1785)
NPG D14926

Sir Joshua Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39701

Sir Joshua Reynolds

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, (1788)
NPG D39701

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Euphrasie Picquenot, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39702

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Euphrasie Picquenot, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mixed-method engraving, (1788)
NPG D39702

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by William Giller, published by  Moon, Boys & Graves, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39703

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by William Giller, published by Moon, Boys & Graves, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1788)
NPG D39703

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Caroline Kirkley, published by  Anthony Molteno, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39704

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Caroline Kirkley, published by Anthony Molteno, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 13 March 1795
NPG D39704

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Samuel William Reynolds, published by  Peter Brown, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D4022

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Samuel William Reynolds, published by Peter Brown, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1 January 1796 (circa 1747-1749)
NPG D4022

'Titianus Redivivus; - or - the seven-wise-men consulting the new Venetian oracle', by James Gillray, published by  Hannah Humphrey - NPG D13085

'Titianus Redivivus; - or - the seven-wise-men consulting the new Venetian oracle'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 2 November 1797
NPG D13085

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by George Clint, published by  Lewis Wells, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D4021

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by George Clint, published by Lewis Wells, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1 November 1799 (1788)
NPG D4021

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Henry Bone, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D17345

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Henry Bone, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, April 1804 (circa 1780)
NPG D17345

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Henry Bone, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D17426

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Henry Bone, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, 23 April 1804 (circa 1780)
NPG D17426

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Henry Meyer, published by  T. Cadell & W. Davies, after  Moses Haughton the Younger, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39700

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Moses Haughton the Younger, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 8 May 1809 (1780)
NPG D39700

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Henry Meyer, published by  T. Cadell & W. Davies, after  Moses Haughton the Younger, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D13933

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Moses Haughton the Younger, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 8 May 1809 (1780)
NPG D13933

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Robert Cooper, published by  Henry Colburn, after  John Jackson, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D5804

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Robert Cooper, published by Henry Colburn, after John Jackson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, published 24 June 1813 (circa 1747-1749)
NPG D5804

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Samuel William Reynolds, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D4023

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1823 (1753-1755)
NPG D4023

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by J. Pass, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D15202

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by J. Pass, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line and stipple engraving, published 1826
NPG D15202

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by George Thomas Doo, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39697

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by George Thomas Doo, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, mid 1830s (1780)
NPG D39697

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Samuel William Reynolds, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D4020

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1834 (1780)
NPG D4020

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Alfred Joseph Stothard, after  Giuseppe Ceracchi - NPG D2925

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Alfred Joseph Stothard, after Giuseppe Ceracchi
bronze medal, 1845
NPG D2925

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by Thomas Williams Hunt, printed by  Richard Holdgate, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D5805

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Thomas Williams Hunt, printed by Richard Holdgate, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple and line engraving, 1847 or before (1775)
NPG D5805

'A literary party at Sir Joshua Reynolds's', by D. George Thompson, published by  Owen Bailey, after  James William Edmund Doyle - NPG D14518

'A literary party at Sir Joshua Reynolds's'

by D. George Thompson, published by Owen Bailey, after James William Edmund Doyle
stipple and line engraving, published 1 October 1851
NPG D14518

Sir Joshua Reynolds, by George H. Every, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D4024

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by George H. Every, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1864-1866 (1780)
NPG D4024

Sir Joshua Reynolds, issued by Sarony & Co, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D48930

Sir Joshua Reynolds

issued by Sarony & Co, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
gravure cigarette card, 1924 (1747-1749)
NPG D48930

Web image not currently available

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (circa 1747-1749)
NPG D19359

Web image not currently available

Sir Joshua Reynolds

by Georg Siegmund Facius, and by Johann Gottlieb Facius, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, published 4 June 1802
NPG D20057

Web image not currently available

'A literary party at Sir Joshua Reynolds's'

by D. George Thompson, published by William Walker, and Owen Bailey, after James William Edmund Doyle
stipple and line engraving, published 1 July 1848
NPG D49811

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.