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Balliol College Oxford, Club, Devon, Duke of Grafton, Giuseppe Marchi, Joshua Reynolds, Reynold, Thomas Hudson
Photo credit: Wikipedia
I believe we have all heard of Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792). He was born in Plympton, Devon. His father, who had been a student at Balliol, Oxford, did not send his sons to university.
In 1640, Reynolds, who was fond of the arts and showed promise as an artist, apprenticed under Thomas Hudson. As a pupil of Thomas Hudson, he copied the Old Masters Hudson had in his collection. He left after three years rather than the customary four and went to Plymouth Doc (now Devonport) where he worked as a portrait-painter After his father died, in 1745, he remained in Plymouth Doc and shared a house with his sisters.
Rome (1749 – 1752)
In the late 1740s, Reynolds accepted Commodore Augustus Keppel‘s invitation to sail to the Mediterranean. This trip took Joshua to Rome where he spent three years studying Raphael and Michelangelo. On his return trip to England, he was accompanied by 17–year-old Giuseppe Marchi who would be his assistant, but would become an artist in his own right.
Sir Joshua Reynolds settles in London
When he returned to England, it was not long before Reynolds settled in London where his sister was his housekeeper. He had “connections,” as we would say. Lord Edgecumbe, recommended the Duke of Devonshire and the Duke of Grafton to sit for him. His clients must have been pleased as others followed.
“The Club”
In 1764, Reynolds founded a literary club, “The Club,” which could be compared to Madame Marie Thérèse Rodet Geoffrin‘s Paris salon. Madame Geoffrin (26 June 1699 – 6 October 6, 1777) was hostess to encyclopédistes and France’s intelligentsia. Habitués, or regulars, needed only contribute a fine mind and good manners.
Madame Geoffrin`s salon in 1755, by Anicet Charles Gabriel Lemonnier. Oil on canvas, Château de Malmaison, Rueil – Malmaison, France
(please click on the picture to enlarge it)
Similarly, members of “The Club” were untitled men of genius. However, “The Club” differed from Madame Geoffrin’s salon in that it was a man’s club. Reynolds was also a Freemason, another fraternity. Members of “The Club” were, among possible others, Dr Johnson, David Garrick, Edmund Burke, James Boswell and Richard Sheridan, all of whom were noted intellectuals. (Sir Joshua Reynolds, Wikipedia) However, Reynolds was knighted by George III, in 1769, thereby acquiring a title. Later, in 1784, he became painter to the king.
The Royal Academy of Arts
Reynolds was a member of the incorporated Society of Artists and, with Thomas Gainsborough (christened 14 May 1727 – 2 August 1788), he established the Royal Academy of Arts. He was its first president and remained its president until his death.
Beginning in 1769, Reynolds delivered lectures to students of the Royal Academy. In one of these lectures he stated that he was of the opinion that “invention, strictly speaking is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory.” (Sir Joshua Reynolds, Wikipedia)
Opinions differ regarding Reynolds and the Royal Academy. William Blake‘s Annotations to Sir Joshua Reynolds’ Discourses in 1808 are “vitriolic,” (Sir Joshua Reynolds, Wikipedia) but J. M. W. Turner requested he be laid to rest at Reynolds’ side. James Northcote RA (22 October 1746 – 13 July 1831), who lived for four years as Reynolds’ pupil, wrote to his family “I know him thoroughly, and all his faults, I am sure, and yet almost worship him.” (Sir Joshua Reynolds, Wikipedia)
Opposition
Many opposed Reynold’s “grand style,” or academic painting, a common phenomenon. As we have seen, members of Russia’s Mir iskusstva also struggled to free themselves from the constraints of academic painting and, according to André Breton, surrealism was a revolutionary movement.
Yet, although I love the art of William Blake, I cannot find anything wrong with the two portraits I have chosen to feature.
Just below is The Strawberry Girl, 1810.
“V’adoro, pupille” from Giulio CesareKarina Gauvin FR Karina Gauvin EN.
updated 24 October 2018 WordPress
Thanks for ‘rescuing’ both Joshua Reynolds, who passed away on such an interesting day of my personal history, and Giuseppe Tartini, long obscured by the brilliance and glare of some of his contemporaries.
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Thank you Wesley,
I believe Joshua could have invented Twitter. He knew how to make friends. So the date on which he died is one of your important dates. Tartini’s music is delightful, but no one knows about him. Well I hope that WordPress authors who listen to his Adagio will enjoy his music. It is very lyrical.
Thank you for writing.
Micheline
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Micheline, my dear, as always your posts are impressive and well documented. With pleasure we heard the song you chose. I love the sounds of the violin!
Thank you so much for this post!
Have a wonderful day! Big hugs always with love Stefania! 🙂
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Thank you Stefania. Isn’t that music extraordinary. Tartini is not a well-know composer, so he deserves a little exposure. I truly appreciate your kind comments. Be blessed and big hugs,
Micheline
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Wow, great post. The part about “The Club” was amazing. I didn’t know about this before and after reading your post I started using Google in order to find more info. Thanks for the post !!
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Thank you for your comments. Yes, the Club is something very special. During the 18th century, superior but untitled men sought an aristocracy of their own. Most great men of that era were Freemasons.
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Interesting stuff. Thanks for reaching out. I hope you post more on this in the future, as I (for one) would love to see more about it.
Thanks!
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Actually, these are my favorite blogs. Preparing them gives me pleasure. Thank you for writing.
Best,
Micheline
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Of course!
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Avinash, amazing as always.
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Hi Micheline. Thanks for checking out my blog!
Wow!.. the music was too beautiful for words. I enjoyed reading your post!
Paula x
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Thank you. I love music.
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