A proof impression, three quarter length, portrait of George Colman the Elder after Sir Joshua Reynolds (Mannings 396). Colman is seated slightly turned to the left, his head resting on his hand left, his arm bent and resting on a pile of papers, his right hand tucked into the breast of his coat.

George Colman “the elder” (April 1732- August 14, 1794) was an Italian born, British dramatist, he graduated from Christ Church Oxford, before he was called to the bar in 1757. However he is best known in the acting world as a playwright, essayist, theatre owner, and friend of David Garrick.

Giuseppe Marchi (c.1722 - 1808) was a Painter and printmaker, his date of birth is usually given as c.1735, but the artist told Farington on 12 January 1795 that he was then "73 or 74". In 1752 he was brought by Reynolds from Rome and was his chief studio assistant until 1792, apart from 1768-9 when he worked independently. Reynolds paid him a salary of £100 p.a. and was responsible for many copies of Reynolds's portraits, and for keeping his sitter books. He died London on 2 April 1808.

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was one of the most important figures of the eighteenth century art world. He was the first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. Through a series of lectures on the Discourses on Art at the Royal Academy he defined the style later known as the Grand Manner, an idealised Classical aesthetic. He had a profound impact on the theory and practice of art and helped to raise the status of portrait painting into the realm of fine art. A flamboyant socialite, Reynolds used his social contacts to promote himself and advance his career becoming one of the most prominent portrait painters of the period.

Chaloner Smith 4 i/iii, Russell 4, O’Donoghue 5, Hamilton 18 ii/iv

Condition: Excellent impression. Trimmed just outside the plate top and sides and within the plate on the bottom.” G. Colman” wrtten in ink in an old hand. Light creasing to sheet. Old adhesive residue, water stain, and hinge on verso. Unidentified collector’s mark on verso, initials within a small circle topped with a crown.