Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792)
Born in Devon in 1723,Reynolds was an 18th century English painter.He was an intellectual, and a friend of Dr Johnson and his circle.
Reynolds believed in the art of history painting, but accepted that in those times the only art in demand was that of portraiture.He could equal the best of the portrait painters of the time and he liked to add an extra interest to his paintings of people to bring out their character and their role in society,stating that painters should perceive their subjects through idealisation rather than reality.
This, of course, had the great and the good flocking to his door to have their imperfections painted out,and Reynolds was in business, creating celebrities.
Most of the high society portrait backgrounds were painted by others .leaving the master to concentrate on the subjects themselves,and to satisfy the elegant society of eighteenth century England.
Though a man about town,Reynolds never married,though many female clients visited his house for more sittings than were strictly necessary. However, claims to this end are purely speculative.
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| Admiral Hood 1783 |
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| Edward Cornwallis 1756 |
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| The age of innocence.1788 |
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