Sir Joshua Reynolds
(1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal AcademyMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 39 portraits
Artist associated with 1421 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.
Unknown man, formerly known as Sir Joshua Reynolds
by Unknown artist
oil on copper, circa 1770
NPG 1761b
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
Key to 'The Academicians of the Royal Academy'
by John Sanders, after Johan Joseph Zoffany
pencil, circa 1773
NPG 1437a
Unknown man, formerly known as Sir Joshua Reynolds
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1775
NPG 927
Sir William Chambers; Joseph Wilton; Sir Joshua Reynolds
by John Francis Rigaud
oil on canvas, 1782
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 987
by D.P. Pariset, sold by Ryland and Bryer, sold by and after Pierre-Étienne Falconet
stipple engraving, (1768)
NPG D20563
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
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D21304
by L. Campo-Antico, published by F. Savoli, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, (1775)
NPG D39698
by and published by Charles Townley, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 30 June 1777 (1775)
NPG D39699
by and published by Valentine Green, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1 December 1780 (1780)
NPG D39705
by and published by John Keyse Sherwin, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, 1784 (1775)
NPG D34871
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
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
stipple and line engraving, published 1 September 1785 (1783-1785)
NPG D14926
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple engraving, (1788)
NPG D39701
by Euphrasie Picquenot, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mixed-method engraving, (1788)
NPG D39702
by William Giller, published by Moon, Boys & Graves, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1788)
NPG D39703
by Caroline Kirkley, published by Anthony Molteno, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 13 March 1795
NPG D39704
Related People
- Elizabeth Deane (née Johnson) (niece)
- Theophila Gwatkin (née Palmer) (niece)
- John Reynolds (uncle)
- Samuel Reynolds (father)
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