Joshua Reynolds receipts for Angerstein family portraits

Two receipts from Sir Joshua Reynolds to John Julius Angerstein for payment of (1) his portrait and frame and (2) a double portrait of his wife and child.

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) is widely regarded one of the most significant portrait artists of the 18th century. Born in Devon, he moved to London in 1740 and was apprenticed to the portraitist Thomas Hudson. In 1749 he travelled to Italy where he was influenced by the Old Masters, particularly the works of Raphael, Titian and Michelangelo. Upon returning to England in October 1752, Reynolds set up practice in London and gained widespread renown for his portraits of the British aristocracy, intellectuals, and celebrities of his time. He was a leading figure in the establishment of the Royal Academy of Arts, where he served as its first president from 1768 until his death.

Between 1765 and 1783, John Julius Angerstein (1735-1823), a marine insurance broker and underwriter, commissioned Reynolds to paint four family portraits, including his earliest known likeness. In addition, he acquired several other paintings by Reynolds for his art collection, notably 'Lord Heathfield of Gibraltar' (NG111) and 'Garrick, Between The Two Muses Of Tragedy And Comedy' (The Rothschild Collection, Waddesdon). However, the extent to which Reynolds may have influenced Angerstein's interests and tastes as a collector of Old Master paintings is uncertain. Angerstein was one of fifty-eight official mourners at Reynolds's state funeral at St Paul's Cathedral on 3 March 1792. He purchased Anthony van Dyck's 'Portrait of Rubens' [reidentified as 'Portrait of George Gage with Two Attendants', NG49] at the sale of Reynolds's art collection in March 1795 (Fourth Day's Sale lot 73).

Donated by a descendant of John Julius Angerstein, Oct 2024

Royal Academy of Arts, Reynolds's pocket (or sitters) books, ref. REY1