Joshua Reynolds dominated the British art scene during the middle and late 1700's. His painings and teaching led the change in British art from anecdotal pictures to the more formal continental Grand Style. Reynolds was the first president of the Royal Academy and was knighted for his work by George III. During his time at the Royal Academy his yearly discourses gave a sense of his aspirations and thoughts on the changing art scene. His advice to the young painter mirrors his own difficulties with line verses colo,r and public and private portraiture.