Reynolds, Joshua

In Latin: Joshua Reynolds, easily the leading painter of his age, and in both the brilliance and the harmonious joining of colours, and in the alternating play of light and shade which mutually enliven one another, scarcely second to any of the ancients; who, though he enjoyed the highest glory of his art with modesty, was no less commended for the sweetness of his manners and the elegance of his life; he revived even the art itself throughout the whole world, when it was languishing and almost dead, by examples of outstanding beauty, and he illuminated it by teachings written with exquisite care; and, improved and refined, he handed it down to be practiced by later generations. His admirers and friends set up this statue in the year 1813. Born on the 16th day of July, 1723; he died on the 23rd day of February, 1792.