(Circle of) Joshua Reynolds

Edward Lord Thurlow, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain

Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA was the leading English portrait artist of the 18th century, and first president of the Royal Academy. Through study of ancient and Italian Renaissance art and of the work of Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck, he brought great variety and dignity to British portraiture. In 1740 Reynolds was apprenticed to the fashionable London portraitist Thomas Hudson. Between 1749 and 1752, Reynolds travelled abroad, mainly living and studying in Italy. Upon his return he set up practice in London shortly after his return and quickly established himself as the England’s foremost portrait painter. Reynolds was a key figure in the intellectual life of London, and a friend of Dr Johnson. When the Royal Academy was founded in 1768 Reynolds was elected its first President and was knighted by King George III the following year. Although believing that history painting was the noblest work of the painter, he had little opportunity to practise it, and his greatest works are his portraits.