Reynolds Close – Joshua Reynolds (1723-92)

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/sir-joshua-reynolds
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/joshua-reynolds-pra

Joshua Reynolds was an English painter who specialised in portraits, after whom Reynolds Close is named. His portraits of notable figures, including members of the British aristocracy, were some of his most significant works. His influence also extended when founding the Royal Academy of Arts, where he served as the first president. Reynolds was renowned for his skillful use of color and light and for his ability to capture the character and personality of his subjects. He was influenced by the work of earlier European masters and was a proponent of the Grand Style, which emphasized idealization and grandeur. Reynolds's work often featured elaborate settings and dramatic poses, aiming to convey both the personality and social status of his sitters. In addition to his painting career, Reynolds was an influential teacher and art theorist. His "Discourses" on art, delivered as lectures to the Royal Academy, remain important documents in the study of art theory and practice. Reynolds's legacy is marked by his significant contribution to the development of British portraiture and the establishment of a formal art institution in Britain.