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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
SEVEN DISCOURSES
ON ART
by Sir Joshua Reynolds
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
INTRODUCTION
It is a happy memory that associates the foundation of our Royal
Academy with the delivery of these inaugural discourses by Sir Joshua
Reynolds； on the opening of the schools； and at the first annual meetings
for the distribution of its prizes。 They laid down principles of art from
the point of view of a man of genius who had made his power felt； and
with the clear good sense which is the foundation of all work that looks
upward and may hope to live。 The truths here expressed concerning Art
may； with slight adjustment of the way of thought； be applied to Literature
or to any exercise of the best powers of mind for shaping the delights that
raise us to the larger sense of life。 In his separation of the utterance of
whole truths from insistance upon accidents of detail； Reynolds was right；
because he guarded the expression of his view with careful definitions of
its limits。 In the same way Boileau was right； as a critic of Literature； in
demanding everywhere good sense； in condemning the paste brilliants of a
style then in decay； and fixing attention upon the masterly simplicity of
Roman poets in the time of Augustus。 Critics by rule of thumb reduced
the principles clearly defined by Boileau to a dull convention； against
which there came in course of time a strong reaction。 In like manner the
teaching of Reynolds was applied by dull men to much vague and
conventional generalisation in the name of dignity。 Nevertheless；
Reynolds taught essential truths of Art。 The principles laid down by him
will never fail to give strength to the right artist； or true guidance towards
the appreciation of good art； though here and there we may not wholly
assent to some passing application of them； where the difference may be
great between a fashion of thought in his time and in ours。 A righteous
enforcement of exact truth in our day has led many into a readiness to
appreciate more really the minute imitation of a satin dress； or a red
herring； than the noblest figure in the best of Raffaelle's cartoons。 Much
good should come of the diffusion of this wise little book。
Joshua Reynolds was born on the 15th of July； 1723； the son of a
clergyman and schoolmaster； at Plympton in Devonshire。 His bent for
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
Art was clear and strong from his childhood。 In 1741 at the age of
nineteen； he began study； and studied for two yours in London under
Thomas Hudson； a successful portrait painter。 Then he went back to
Devonshire and painted portraits； aided for some time in his education by
attention to the work of William Gandy of Exeter。 When twenty…six
years old； in May； 1749； Reynolds was taken away by Captain Keppel to
the Mediterranean； and brought into contact with the works of the great
painters of Italy。 He stayed two years in Rome； and in accordance with
the principles afterwards laid down in these lectures； he refused； when in
Rome； commissions for copying； and gave his mind to minute observation
of the art of the great masters by whose works he was surrounded。 He
spent two months in Florence； six weeks in Venice； a few days in Bologna
and Parma。 〃If；〃 he said； 〃I had never seen any of the fine works of
Correggio； I should never； perhaps； have remarked in Nature the
expression which I find in one of his pieces； or if I had remarked it； I
might have thought it too difficult； or perhaps impossible to execute。〃
In 1753 Reynolds came back to England； and stayed three months in
Devonshire before setting up a studio in London； in St。 Martin's Lane；
which was then an artists' quarter。 His success was rapid。 In 1755 he had
one hundred and twenty…five sitters。 Samuel Johnson found in him his
most congenial friend。 He moved to Newport Street； and he built himself
a studiowhere there is now an auction roomat 47； Lincoln's Inn Fields。
There he remained for life。
In 1760 the artists opened； in a room lent by the Society of Arts； a free
Exhibition for the sale of their works。 This was continued the next year
at Spring Gardens； with a charge of a shilling for admission。 In 1765
they obtained a charter of incorporation； and in 1768 the King gave his
support to the foundation of a Royal Academy of Arts by seceders from
the preceding 〃Incorporated Society of Artists；〃 into which personal
feelings had brought much division。 It was to consist； like the French
Academy； of forty members； and was to maintain Schools open to all
students of good character who could give evidence that they had fully
learnt the rudiments of Art。 The foundation by the King dates from the
10th of December； 1768。 The Schools were opened on the 2nd of
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
January next following； and on that occasion Joshua Reynolds； who had
been elected Presidenthis age was then between forty…five and forty… six…
…gave the Inaugural Address which formed the first of these Seven
Discourses。 The other six were given by him； as President； at the next
six annual meetings： and they were all shaped to form； when collected
into a volume； a coherent body of good counsel upon the foundations of
the painter's art。
H。 M。
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
TO THE KING
The regular progress of cultivated life is from necessaries to
accommodations； from accommodations to ornaments。 By your
illustrious predecessors were established marts for manufactures； and
colleges for science； but for the arts of elegance； those arts by which
manufactures are embellished and science is refined； to found an academy
was reserved for your Majesty。
Had such patronage been without effect； there had been reason to
believe that nature had； by some insurmountable impediment； obstructed
our proficiency； but the annual improvement of the exhibitions which your
Majesty has been pleased to encourage shows that only encouragement
had been wanting。
To give advice to those who are contending for royal liberality has
been for some years the duty of my station in the Academy； and these
Discourses hope for your Majesty's acceptance as well… intended
endeavours to incite that emulation which your notice has kindled； and
direct those studies which your bounty has rewarded。
May it please your Majesty； Your Majesty's Most dutiful servant； And
most faithful subject； JOSHUA REYNOLDS。
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
ROYAL ACADEMY。
Gentlemen；That you have ordered the publication of this Discourse
is not only very flattering to me； as it implies your approbation of the
method of study which I have recommended； but likewise； as this method
receives from that act such an additional weight and authority as demands
from the students that deference and respect； which can be due only to the
united sense of so considerable a body of artists。
I am； With the greatest esteem and respect； GENTLEMEN； Your most
humble And obedient servant； JOSHUA REYNOLDS
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