Samuel Johnson c. 1775

Joshua Reynolds (British 1723 - 1792)

Oil on canvas

Gift of the honorable Frances Rothschild and Loren Rothschild

A poet, essayist, philosopher, lexicographer, Samuel Johnson(1709 - 1784) is perhaps best known for his monumental undertaking of The dictionary of the English Language published in 1775. This intimate portrayal has long been regarded as a personal tribute to the writer by his friend, the painter Joshua Reynolds. It captures Johnson in a private moment, reading a book, hands tightly grasping the pages, eyes squinting to see the text. The energy with which Reynolds depicts Johnson almost devouring the words on the page vividly conveys his friend's deep passion for knowledge.

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