Joshua Reynolds Brown Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir Joshua Reynolds was one of the most influential English portrait painters of the 18th century. Born in 1723 in Plympton, Devon, Reynolds showed an early aptitude for art and went on to study in London under the Baroque painter Thomas Hudson. He spent several years traveling and studying art in Italy, where he developed his distinctive style blending classical poses with individualized characterizations.

Reynolds returned to London in 1752 and quickly established himself as the leading portrait painter of his day. His subjects included aristocracy, gentry, and notable figures like Samuel Johnson, David Garrick, and Horace Walpole. In 1760, Reynolds moved into a house on this site in Leicester Square which served as both his home and studio for the rest of his life. Many of his most famous portraits were painted here as his reputation and influence grew.

In 1768, Reynolds became the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts and delivered a series of influential annual lectures. He was a founder and central figure of The Club, an elite society of intellectuals and creatives. Reynolds also earned the rare distinctions of being knighted by King George III in 1769, and later elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and Royal Society of Arts.

Reynolds’ pioneering work helped elevate portraiture to a respected art form in Britain and beyond. His “Grand Manner” style, known for idealizing subjects with dignity and grace, would influence generations of artists to come. Reynolds continued living and working at his Leicester Square residence until his death in 1792 at the age of 68. Today, the building on this site, Fanum House, stands as a testament to Reynolds’ lasting impact on art history.