Page:Anecdotes of painters, engravers, sculptors and architects, and curiosities of art (IA anecdotesofpaint01spoo).pdf/214

 *folio; these he submitted to his sitters; and whatever position they selected, he immediately proceeded to copy it on the canvass, and paint the likeness to correspond. He received six sitters daily, who appeared in their turns; and he kept regular lists of those who sat, and of those who were waiting until a finished portrait should open a vacancy for their admission. He painted them as they stood on his list, and often sent the work home before the colors were dry. Of lounging visitors he had a great abhorrence, and, as he reckoned up the fruits of his labors, 'Those idle people,' said this disciple of the grand historical school of Raphael and Angelo, 'those idle people do not consider that my time is worth five guineas an hour.' This calculation incidentally informs us, that it was Reynolds' practice, in the height of his reputation and success, to paint a portrait in four hours."

REYNOLDS IN LEICESTER SQUARE.

Reynolds' commissions continued to increase, and to pour in so abundantly, that in addition to his pupils, he found it necessary to employ several subordinate artists, skillful in painting drapery and backgrounds, as assistants. He also raised his price to twenty-five guineas a head.

"In the year 1761," says Cunningham, "the accumulating thousands which Johnson speaks of, began to have a visible effect on Reynolds' establishment. He quitted Newport Street, purchased a fine house