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Sir Joshua Reynolds

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

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.

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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

Joseph Wilton, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 4810

Joseph Wilton

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1752
NPG 4810

George Anson, 1st Baron Anson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 518

George Anson, 1st Baron Anson

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1755-1810, based on a work of 1755
NPG 518

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 35

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, possibly 19th century, based on a work of 1755-1757
NPG 35

Edward Boscawen, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 44

Edward Boscawen

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1755
On display at Hatchlands Park, Guildford
NPG 44

Edward Boscawen, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 5302

Edward Boscawen

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1755
NPG 5302

Sir William Chambers, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 27

Sir William Chambers

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1756
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 27

Samuel Johnson, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1597

Samuel Johnson

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1756
On display in Room 3 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1597

James Macardell, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 3123

James Macardell

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1756-1760
NPG 3123

George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1398

George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, possibly 18th century, based on a work of 1756-1759
NPG 1398

Horace Walpole, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 6520

Horace Walpole

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1756-1757
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6520

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 625

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland

studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1758-1760
NPG 625

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 229

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1760-1761, based on a work of circa 1758-1760
NPG 229

John Manners, Marquess of Granby, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1186

John Manners, Marquess of Granby

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
chalk, before 1766, based on a work of circa 1760s
NPG 1186

Laurence Sterne, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 5019

Laurence Sterne

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1760
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5019

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 337

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1761
NPG 337

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire, attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1041

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire

attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1761
NPG 1041

Augustus John Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol, by William Silas Spanton, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 1835

Augustus John Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol

by William Silas Spanton, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1900, based on a work of 1762-1763
NPG 1835

Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 2075

Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1762
NPG 2075

Thomas Secker, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 850

Thomas Secker

after Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1764-1765
NPG 850

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