Sir Joshua Reynolds painted Colonel Acland and Lord Sydney: The Archers in oil on canvas between 1769 and 1770. Colonel John Dyke Acland (1746–1778; pictured at right) and Lord Sydney (1732–1774), a diplomat, are two aristocrats who appear in the artwork.
The project was started by Reynolds in 1769, and it was finished in 1770. Reynolds was appointed the first president of the brand-new Royal Academy in 1769. The painting was purchased by the Tate for more than £2.5 million ($4.4 million) in September 2005.
In a composition that purposefully mimics the style of the great Italian painter Titian, Reynolds depicts two young aristocratic men who appear to be engaged in a medieval or Renaissance hunt. Later in the eighteenth century, it became popular for young aristocrats to identify with the romantic, virulent archer.
The pile of game emphasizes that they are not ordinary “foresters,” but rather noblemen who are abusing their aristocratic right to hunt, as Reynolds evokes a bygone, more chivalrous era.
The two men are shown in the painting each holding a bow, even though the shotgun was the more common weapon at the time. In a forest clearing, there are these two men with bows in their hands.
Their prey lies nearby at their feet, and they are both dressed as archers. Their expressions give the impression that they are both getting ready to shoot an arrow at an approaching animal, which is supported by Sydney’s eagerness and poise.
A river, a group of trees, and a meadow are visible in the distance. Mountain peaks can be seen in the distance at the skyline, hidden by dense grey clouds.
The design and textural schemes of several other Reynolds works are present in the portrait. Both the two aristocrats’ attire and their weapon of choice make references to the classical period.
However, the recreational use of the bow was experiencing a resurgence at the time, so this might not have been all that unusual when Reynolds created the piece.
