Biographical Text
Reynolds was born in Plympton, Devon on the 16th July 1723. In 1740 he was apprenticed to the portrait painter Thomas Hudson, with whom Reynolds remained until 1743. He then worked as a portrait painter in Plymouth Dock (now Devonport), where he lived with his sisters. He spent 1749-52 abroad, mainly in Italy, where he studied the works of the Old Masters. Upon his return he set up practice in London, and soon established himself as the leading portrait painter. He was elected the first President of the Royal Academy, founded in 1768, was one of the earliest members of the Royal Society of Arts, and helped found the Society of Artists of Great Britain. He died on the 23rd February 1792 at his home in Leicester Fields, London.
