Reynolds Angels

Reynolds Angels is the name given to a portrait painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds first exhibited in 1787.

The picture shows five different angles of the head of five-year old Lady Frances Gordon. She sat for Reynolds in July and August of 1786 and again in March 1787.

Reynolds tended to reserve his time during the summer months for character studies and this portrait reflects that, appearing more as a series of studies of Lady Frances’ head than as a formal portrait.