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The Life and Writings of Sir Joshua Reynolds: First President of the Royal Academy

The Life and Writings of Sir Joshua Reynolds delves into the life of the influential artist, covering his early years, artistic development, and significant works. It also examines his role in establishing the Royal Academy of Arts and his influence on the British art community during his time. more

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Joshua Reynolds
Joshua Reynolds

Joshua Reynolds was an influential English painter, recognized for his portraits and landscapes. Born on July 16, 1723, and passing away on February 23, 1792, Reynolds played a significant role in the development of the English portrait school and is often considered the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts. more

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“The general ideas which are expressed in sketches, correspond very well to the art often used in poetry... every reader making out the detail according to his own particular imagination... but a painter, when he represents Eve on canvas, is obliged to give a determined form, and his own idea of beauty distinctly expressed.”

GivingWellsArtIdeasFormUsedImaginationParticularReaderDetailsDeterminedPainterCanvasObliged
Book:The Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds: Containing His Discourses, Idlers, A Journey to Flanders and Holland, and His Commentary on Du Fresnoy's Art of Painting; to which is Prefixed an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author by Edward Malone
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“I do not see in what manner practice alone can be sufficient for the production of correct, excellent, and finished pictures. Works deserving this character never were produced, nor ever will arise, from memory alone.”

CharacterMemoriesPracticeProductionsFinishedAriseExcellentSufficientDeserving
Book:The Complete Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds: First President of the Royal Academy : with an Original Memoir, and Anecdotes of the Author
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“The great end of all arts is to make an impression on the imagination and the feeling. The imitation of nature frequently does this. Sometimes it fails and something else succeeds.”

DoeArtEndsSometimesFeelingsPurposeImaginationFailingSucceedArt IsImpressionImitation
Book:The Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds: Containing His Discourses, Idlers, A Journey to Flanders and Holland, and His Commentary on Du Fresnoy's Art of Painting; to which is Prefixed an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author by Edward Malone
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“Though colour may appear at first a part of painting merely mechanical, yet it still has its rules, and those grounded upon that presiding principle which regulates both the great and the little in the study of a painter.”

FirstsMayLittlesStillsPrinciplesStudyPaintingPainterColourGrounded
Book:Discourses on Painting and the Fine Arts, delivered at the Royal Academy. With a portrait
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“The spectator, as he walks the gallery, will stop, or pass along. To give a general air of grandeur at first view, all trifling, or artful play of little lights, or an attention to a variety of tints is to be avoided; a quietness and simplicity must reign over the whole work, to which a breadth of uniform and simple color will very much contribute.”

GivingFirstsLittlesPlayWholeLightSimpleWalksViewsAttentionAirColorSimplicityVarietyUniformsReignSpectatorsAvoidedGalleryGrandeurBreadthQuietnessTrifling
Book:The Literary works of sir Joshua Reynolds, first President of the Royal Academy
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