Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Grand Manner and the Shaping of British Portraiture Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) stands as a monumental figure in the history of British art, largely defined by his pioneering role in establishing portraiture as a dominant and respected genre. More than simply a painter, he was an intellectual force, a champion of classical ideals, and a key architect of the Royal Academy—a transformation that fundamentally altered the landscape of artistic practice in England. His career spanned over six decades, during which he produced an astonishing outpu…