Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA ( 16 July 1723 -- 23 February 1792 ) was an English painter of portraits . Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA ( 16 July 1723 -- 23 February 1792 ) was an influential 18th-century English painter , specialising in portraits and promoting the `` Grand Style '' in painting which depended on idealisation of the imperfect .