In his mature years he suffered from deafness, as recorded by Frances Burney, although this did not impede his lively social life.Burney, F. The Diary of Fanny Burney, Dent (Everyman edition), London, 1971, p. 27 Renowned for his placidity, Reynolds often claimed that he "hated nobody". This may be self-idealisation. It is well known that he disliked George Romney, whom he referred to only as "the man in Cavendish Square" and whom he successfully prevented from becoming a member of the Royal Academy. He did not like Gainsborough, yet appreciated his achievements in the obituary he wrote of his rival. (Rump; Kidson). It is said that when he taught in one of his "discourses" that a painter should not amass too much of the colour blue in the foreground of an image, Gainsborough was prompted to paint his famous "Blue Boy".
In his mature years he suffered from deafness as recorded by Frances Burney although this did not impede his lively social lifeBurney F The Diary of Fanny Burney Dent (Everyman edition) London 1971 p 27 Renowned for his placidity Reynolds often claimed that he "hated nobody" This may be self-idealisation It is well known that he disliked George Romney whom he referred to only as "the man in Cavendish Square" and whom he successfully prevented from becoming a member of the Royal Academy He did not like Gainsborough yet appreciated his achievements in the obituary he wrote of his rival (Rump; Kidson) It is said that when he taught in one of his "discourses" that a painter should not amass too much of the colour blue in the foreground of an image Gainsborough was prompted to paint his famous "Blue Boy"