1723–1792

Joshua Reynolds

Joshua Reynolds was born in Plympton, Devon, and trained in London under Thomas Hudson before studying in Italy. Back in London, he built the leading portrait practice of his day, giving sitters the dignity of Old Master history painting. In 1768 he became the first president of the Royal Academy, and his Discourses on Art shaped academic teaching. He was knighted in 1769. Friends included Samuel Johnson and Edmund Burke. He died in London in 1792.