Joshua Reynolds: 6 works

'Having established a portrait practice in London, in 1749 Joshua Reynolds embarked on a journey to Italy, where during a two-year stay in Rome he studied the artistic canon of the antique, Michelangelo, Raphael, and the great Venetian masters. Upon his return he often cast his sitters in poses from these sources, creating a new historical or grand style based on "the simplicity of the antique air and attitude."'

'The sitter for this portrait, Richard Peers Symons, was a twenty-five-year-old member of Parliament when he was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds's image is a masterpiece of British "grand manner" portraiture, influenced by Anthony van Dyck.'

'In 1764 he founded the Literary Club, with Joseph Banks, Dr Johnson, James Boswell, Adam Smith, actor David Garrick and playwrights Richard Sheridan and Oliver Goldsmith amongst its members. The first President of the Royal Academy of Arts, Reynolds painted many of the stars of 18th century England.'

'Reynolds is perhaps the most important figure in the history of English painting. He was a painter and writer, the first president of the Royal Academy of the Arts, and the leading portraitist of his day.'

'Sir George Beaumont had a long-standing friendship with Sir Joshua Reynolds; it is not surprising that his wife sat for a portrait by the master shortly after their marriage.'

'The manner in which the portrait is painted, highlighting the positive characteristics of the sitter while not giving in to sentimentality, is typical of the work of Sir Joshua Reynolds.'