Sir Joshua Reynolds. Biography

On 16th July 1723 in London was born a great painter Sir Joshua Reynolds, in a family of a schoolmaster. His father gave early education to him only. Reynolds was a curious child from the beginning and Zachariah Mudge’s Philosophy that he followed throughout his life influenced him.

From a very young age Joshua Reynolds was interested in art. He then joined in 1740 Thomas Hudson, a famous portrait painter of that time. He spends 3 years with him and learned many tools of the trade. Joshua Reynolds then went to Italy in 1749 and till 1752 he studied Old masters there and developed taste for ‘Grand style’.

Joshua Reynolds was a very talented ad dedicated artist. He was an intellectual painter who worked in his studio for long hours without taking any holiday. His popularity was bigger then his life. Many rich, famous and intellectual people of that time were in touch with Joshua Reynolds. He enjoyed a royal status in his life. By 1761 Joshua Reynolds had started commanding 80 Guineas as a full-length portrait fee. In 1764 he made a portrait of Lord Burghersh for that he got 100 Guineas. It is believed that in his whole career Joshua Reynolds had painted more then 3000 paintings. He took retirement in 1789 due to loss of eyesight.

Although Joshua Reynolds was a prominent painter of his times but his professional career never took him on the heights. He was amongst the earliest members of Royal Society of Arts and in 1768 he became the first president of Royal Society of Arts. As an eminent painter he enjoyed a royal status through out his life. His appearance was not very attractive but even then he always looked a well-bred Gentlemen. He was famous for his placidity and he loved everybody and hated nobody. Sir Joshua Reynolds died on 23rd February 1792 and was buried with full respect at St. Paul’s Cathedral.