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Joshua Reynolds
(1723-1792)
A Portrait of Richard Robinson
London, 1779
Oil on canvas
The Englishman Richard Robinson (1709-1794) was made Archbishop of Armagh in 1765, so when this portrait was painted he was Primate of Ireland. Nonetheless, Robinson is shown dressed as a country gentleman, the only reference to his religious position being a distant church spire, to the left. The portrait was commissioned to hang at Robinson’s newly-built house, Rokeby Hall in County Louth. It is one of four versions and is a replica of a work exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1775. It was at this annual exhibition that Reynolds established his reputation as the leading portraitist of the day.
Purchased 1943 (No. 43.9)
A Portrait of the Reverend William Beele
Devonport, about 1748
Oil on canvas
William Beele (1704-1757) was appointed a naval chaplain in 1727 and he was stationed at Devonport where this portrait was painted. He is shown half-length, framed by an oval-shaped stone niche which creates the illusion that we encounter him by chance. The artist has slightly enlarged the sitter’s features, increasing the work’s expressive power.
Reynolds painted this portrait before his trip to Italy (1749-52), in the earliest stages of a highly successful career which included the presidency of the Royal Academy.
Purchased 1970 (No. 70.1)
A Portrait of a Young Man
Devonport, about 1746
Oil on canvas
This portrait’s small scale has led to speculation about its function. Reynolds began his career as a portraitist in Devonport and it has been suggested that the man is a naval officer who wanted to take an image of himself to sea. The stone parapet at the front, unique in Reynolds’ work, is perhaps a sea wall. But, equally, it may have been painted for the family of a young cadet about to undertake a hazardous voyage. There is some evidence that the man was named John Herring.
Purchased 1969 (No. 69.10)