1723-1792. English portrait painter, active
in London from 1752. He became the first
president of the Royal Academy 1768. His
portraits display a facility for striking and
characterful compositions in a consciously
grand manner. He often borrowed classical
poses, for example Mrs Siddons as the Tragic
Muse 1784 (San Marino, California, USA).
Reynolds was apprenticed to the portrait
painter Thomas Hudson (1701- 79). From 1743
he practised in Plymouth and London and
1749-52 completed his studies in Rome and
Venice, concentrating on the antique and the
High Renaissance masters. After his return to
London he became the leading portraitist of
his day with pictures such as Admiral Keppel
1753-54 (National Maritime Museum, London).
His Discourses on Art 1769-91 contain his
theories on the aims of academic art.