Joshua Reynolds

Sir Joshua Reynolds  (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter of portraits. He helped to start the Royal Academy of Arts and was its first president.Sir Joshua Reynolds, National Portrait Gallery, London, accessed September 2009 King George III made him Sir Joshua Reynolds in 1769.

Some critics disliked Reynolds and the Royal Academy. The Pre-Raphaelites called him "Sir Sloshua" and William Blake published a savage pamphlet Annotations to Sir Joshua Reynolds' Discourses in 1808. On the other hand, Turner was a strong supporter, and asked to be buried at Reynolds' side.

Reynolds has over 1000 portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, London. Despite Blake's criticisms, Reynold's Discourses had a lasting impact on the theory and practice of art.

References

Category:1723 births
Category:1792 deaths
Category:English painters
Category:People from Devon
Category:Fellows of the Royal Society
Category:Royal Society of Arts
Category:Knights Bachelor
Category:Royal Academicians