Artwork details · 2026-01-07

The Age of Innocence

by Sir Joshua Reynolds · 1788

The Age of Innocence by Sir Joshua Reynolds

Artist

Sir Joshua Reynolds was an English painter who specialised in portraits. The art critic John Russell called him one of the major European painters of the 18th century, while Lucy Peltz says he was "the leading portrait artist of the 18th-century and arguably one of the greatest artists in the history of art." He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting, which depended on idealisation of the imperfect. He was a founder and first president of the Royal Academy of Arts and was knighted by George III in 1769. He has been referred to as the "master who revolutionised British Art."

Learn more about Sir Joshua Reynolds

Artwork

The Age of Innocence by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1788) is currently displayed at Tate.

Learn more about this painting

Quick facts

Artist
Sir Joshua Reynolds
Year
1788
Movement
Rococo
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Tate