Martin Gayford

Reynolds produced some of the finest portraits of the 18th century – and a few of the silliest

A review of Reynolds: Portraiture in Action, by Mark Hallett, an investigation of the strate­gies by which the painter achieved unprecedented fame

‘Lady Sarah Bunbury Sacrificing to the Graces’ by Sir Joshua Reynolds [Bridgeman/Getty Images]
  • Comments

  • Reynolds: Portraiture in Action

    Mark Hallett

    Yale, pp. 488

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Get a free bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label when you subscribe to The Spectator for just £12 in our Black Friday sale

  • Free bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, worth £30
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Gavin Mortimer

Why Jaguar’s rebrand is doomed

Jaguar’s disastrous makeover has left many people wondering if it isn’t April Fool’s Day. It’s not, of course. After 89 years of success with pale, stale males, Jaguar – which is relaunching as an electric-only brand – has decided a new clientele is in order. Jaguar is gambling on attracting a younger, urban Progressive customer

More on book review

Also by Martin Gayford

Latest

Comments

Black Friday sale: Get 10 weeks for just $1

Unlimited access to the The Spectator, online and via the app

Already a subscriber? Log in