Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1723-1792, Painter [obverse] 1845

This bronze medal portraying Sir Joshua Reynolds was created by Alfred Joseph Stothard, a British artist working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As a leading portrait painter in 18th-century England, Reynolds co-founded the Royal Academy and was committed to celebrating British artists. This medal reflects the cultural and social values of its time, and it speaks to the idea of artistic legacy. Through his art, Reynolds shaped perceptions of beauty, status, and identity. Similarly, Stothard’s medal immortalizes Reynolds, embedding him in the history of British art. Notice the fine detail with which Stothard has captured Reynolds, from the curls of his wig to the set of his jaw. The palette and brushes under Reynolds's bust symbolizes his artistic practice. These details humanize Reynolds, but also suggest that he is inseparable from his artistic persona. Consider how this image might affect our understanding of the artist.