A Long-Lost ‘Fiend’ Was Just Uncovered During The Restoration Of An 18th-Century Painting
The Death of Cardinal Beaufort was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds in 1789 and included a controversial demonic figure — but layers of paint and varnish added after Reynolds' death eventually obscured it. National TrustThe demon was extremely controversial at the time , with one critic sneering that it was “ too ludicrous and puerile to head for the hills censure . ” When Sir Joshua Reynolds debut his painting The Death Of Cardinal Beaufort in 1789 , critic were shocked that he ’d include a “ fiend ” scupper in the background ....