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Mkey: 7093 Sitter/Title: William (Thomas) Beckford Qualifier: by Artist(s): Sir Joshua Reynolds Date made: 1782 Medium: oil on canvas Credit line: © National Portrait Gallery, London Authority data import (Capture): Writer, collector, eccentric dilettante, Male, Writers, critics People Authority (Sitters): William (Thomas) Beckford Measurements: 28 5/8 in. x 23 in. (727 mm x 584 mm) Caption: Beckford sat to Reynolds in February 1782, soon after his return from the Grand Tour and the year that <i>Vathek</i> was published. The portrait was exhibited that year at the Royal Academy and remained in Beckford's possession until his death. Before it was engraved in 1835, the background was repainted. This overpaint was only discovered when the portrait was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in 1980. Cleaning revealed the sitter's flamboyant pose and the sky. It was said to be Beckford's favourite image of himself.