Penny, Nicholas (editor) — Reynolds

London, Royal Academy of Arts / Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1986. Hardcover. Black cloth with red, color illustrated dust jacket. 408 pp. 86 color, 209 bw plates. Issued in conjunction with several 1985-1986 exhibitions showcasing the artwork of English painter Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), who "dominated English artistic life in the second half of the eighteenth century.. This new book, which contains the latest research on Reynolds by several eminent scholars, includes more than a hundred of his finest paintings, some never before reproduced anywhere, and many never before reproduced in color. They constitute a veritable portrait gallery of the age: heroic commanders, flamboyant courtesans, dissolute princes, society beauties, even distinguished politicians sat for Reynolds. Detailed and lively biographical information penetrates behind the grand poses and lavish costumes to disclose the human being in the sitter. Also included are Reynolds' history paintings, prints done from his works, selections from his sketchbooks, with both studio and travel sketches, and portraits of Reynolds by other artists." (dj from Abrams edition) With essays by Nicholas Penny, Robert Rosenblum, and M. Kirby Talley Jr, and an annotated and illustrated catalogue of 209 works. Includes beautiful full-page color illustrations. VG- (Slight scuffing to dj; slightly aging to dj and page margins, which are tanning lightly; otherwise clean.) .