English term for the highest style of art in academic theory. Given currency by Reynolds and extensively discussed in his Discourses on Art—fifteen lectures delivered to students at Royal Academy between 1769 and 1790. Reynolds argued that painters should not slavishly copy nature but seek a generalised and ideal form. This 'gives what is called the grand style to Invention, to Composition, to Expression, and even to Colouring and Drapery' (Fourth Discourse). In practice meant painting human figure in style drawing on ancient Greek and Roman (classical) art and the Italian Renaissance masters such as Raphael. Grand Style strictly used for History painting, but Reynolds adapted very successfully to portraiture, inventing the High Art portrait.