Definition

Proper noun: - Sir Joshua Reynolds: An English portrait painter who was the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts. He lived from 1723 to 1792 and is renowned for his significant contributions to British portraiture and art theory.

Usage

• Sir Joshua Reynolds is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to the historical figure. It is typically used in contexts discussing art history, portrait painting, or the foundation of the Royal Academy.
  • The gallery features a major exhibition of works by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
  • Sir Joshua Reynolds' Discourses are foundational texts in Western art theory.

Advanced Usage

• The name can be used metonymically to refer to his body of work, his artistic style, or his era.
  • The auction house sold a Reynolds for a record price. (Here, "a Reynolds" means a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds.)
  • The portrait is very much in the manner of Reynolds.

Variants and Related Words

• Reynolds (noun): A common shortened reference to Sir Joshua Reynolds, especially within art historical discourse.
  • Scholars compare Gainsborough and Reynolds.

Synonyms

• Portraitist: A painter who specializes in portraits.
• Academician: A member of an academy, especially of arts (referring to his role as first president of the Royal Academy).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no common idioms using his full name, the phrase "a Reynolds" is a standard shorthand in the art world to denote a portrait painted by him.
  • The collection is prized for its two early Reynolds.

Noun

1. English portrait painter and first president of the Royal Academy (1723-1792)