After Sir Joshua Reynolds

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) was one of the most influential portraitists of 18th-century England, celebrated for elevating British painting through his adoption of the Grand Style. Known for his dignified compositions, rich colour palette, and mastery of character, Reynolds portrayed members of the aristocracy and cultural elite with an idealised yet lifelike presence. As the first President of the Royal Academy, he shaped artistic education and encouraged painters to draw inspiration from classical art and the Old Masters. His work remains central to the visual language of the Georgian era.