Sir Joshua Reynolds (British 1723-1792) Portrait of James Whitshed M.P. (circa 1716-89) in naval uniformOil on canvas89 x 68.5cm (35 x 26¾ in.)Joshua Whitshed was an Irish politician and M.P. for Wicklow in the Parliament of Ireland, 1747-60. Son of James Whitshed of Dublin and his wife, Grace Dillon. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Married Fances Bathurst, daughter of Allen, 1st Earl Bathurst. Elected M.P. for St.Ives in 1754 and Cirencester, 1766-83. Sat to Reynolds in November 1755 at the same time as his wife. Provenance: By family descent until 2018.Literature: A. Graves & G. Cronin, A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A., 1899, Vol. III, p. 1053. E.K. Waterhouse, 'Reynolds's Sitter Book for 1755', The Walpole Society, XLI, 1968, p.116. Medium Oil on canvas