New reformatted edition (not low-quality scans of an old book) which includes ten black and white illustrations of Joshua Reynolds's art. As the most successful portrait painter in 18th century England, and the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, Sir Joshua Reynolds delivered fifteen eloquent discourses at the annual or semi-annual awards presentations, instilling encouragement in the students, and providing a concise summary of art theory that continued to influence artists well into the 19th century. This volume presents a selection of seven of the discourses, that are essential reading for understanding the development of British art.