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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Self portrait, c. 1747-1749

Sir Joshua Reynolds

Self portrait, c. 1747-1749

Joshua Reynolds was the leading portrait painter in eighteenth-century Britain, and the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts. Although a prolific self-portraitist, he usually presented himself as a gentleman, or ‘man of letters’, in keeping with his attempts to raise the social status of the arts.

This early painting is unique, however, in depicting him at work, clothes loosened, and displaying the tools of his trade: a canvas, palette and brushes. It conveys Reynolds’ confidence in his talent and the gesture of his shielded eyes suggests his ambition for the future. The use of chiaroscuro (strong contrast of light and dark) indicates his lifelong appreciation of Rembrandt, the most revered master of self portraiture.

National Portrait Gallery, London Purchased, 1858
© National Portrait Gallery, London

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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