Joshua Reynolds
English painter (1723–1792) (–)
About
In 1768, a painter's ambition changed British art forever. Joshua Reynolds became the first President of the new Royal Academy of Arts. His mission? To elevate portraiture from mere likeness to 'Grand Manner' art. He painted Britain's elite, from King George III to the actor David Garrick. Reynolds didn't just capture faces; he crafted power. His portraits used classical poses and dramatic lighting to turn aristocrats into timeless icons. But his work held a quiet subversion. He painted Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, a Black British servant and militia man, with the same dignity as an earl. His influence was immense. He taught and inspired artists like J.M.W. Turner. His 'Discourses on Art' became the bible for a generation of painters. When he died in 1792, poet Mary Robinson wrote a 'Monody' in his memory. Reynolds had defined the visual identity of an entire era. 📄 Image Credits All images via Wikimedia Commons:- Joshua Reynolds: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Joshua_Reynolds_-_Self-Portrait_-_Google_Art_Project_%282315517%29FXD.jpg - George III of Great Britain: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Allan_Ramsay_%281713-84%29_-_George_III_%281738-1820%29_-_RCIN_405307_-_Royal_Collection.jpg - George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mosnier%2C_George_Rodney.jpg - Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Joshua_Reynolds_-_Charles_Stanhope%2C_3rd_Earl_of_Harrington_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg - Mary Darby Robinson: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gainsborough_Mary-Robinson.jpg See links for full license details. 🔔 Subscribe for more forgotten stories from history: [Your Channel Link] 💬 Which historical figure would you most want to have your portrait painted by? #history #cronologia #art #portraitpainting #georgianera #arthistory #britishart #hiddenhistory #arteducation #influence #legacy #18thcentury