Joshua Reynolds

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) was the leading English portrait painter of the 18th century and theorist of the Grand Style, which sought to idealise the imperfect. Born at Plympton in Devon, he apprenticed to a portraitist in 1740 and in 1749 spent two years in Rome studying the Old Masters.

His prolific London studio produced more than two thousand paintings. In 1768 he became the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, was knighted by George III in 1769 and delivered his influential Discourses. He died in February 1792 and was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.