Thomas Gainsborough

(British, 1727–1788)

Thomas Gainsborough was a leading British Romantic portraitist. His work is distinctive for his lively handling of paint, which allowed the artist to capture his sitters’ likenesses both quickly and accurately. Born on May 14, 1727 in Sudbury, United Kingdom, he developed his skill while working as an assistant to Hubert-François Gravelot, a French Rococo painter. Though his first love was landscape painting, Gainsborough quickly turned to portraits for their popularity and the financial stability they offered. His works, painted in dark colors with economical brush strokes, were of contemporary celebrities as well as local merchants and townspeople. He gained widespread acclaim and emerged as one of the leading portrait artists of the century alongside his longtime rival, Joshua Reynolds. Gainsborough was notably one of the original 36 artists invited to join the Royal Academy. He went on to paint portraits of King George III and his wife, and many royal commissions thereafter. The artist died on August 2, 1788, in London, United Kingdom. Today, his works can be found in the collections of the National Gallery in London, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Louvre Museum in Paris, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among others.

Thomas Gainsborough Artworks

Thomas Gainsborough (997 results)
Set of six engravings depicting rural landscapes

After Thomas Gainsborough

Set of six engravings depicting rural landscapes

Sale Date: April 25, 2015

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady, half-length, tondo 24.5cm...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady, half-length, tondo 24.5cm...

Sale Date: April 14, 2015

Auction Closed

Ritratto di nobildonna

Thomas Gainsborough

Ritratto di nobildonna

Sale Date: March 20, 2015

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Portrait presumed to be of Ann Anstey (died...

After Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait presumed to be of Ann Anstey (died...

Sale Date: March 5, 2015

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A drover and his cattle with a travel on...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

A drover and his cattle with a travel on...

Sale Date: February 24, 2015

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A Study for the Portrait of Lady Derby

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

A Study for the Portrait of Lady Derby

Sale Date: February 18, 2015

Auction Closed

Mrs. Sarah Siddons

After Thomas Gainsborough

Mrs. Sarah Siddons

Sale Date: January 25, 2015

Auction Closed

Portrait of Lady Blackstone, bust-length

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Lady Blackstone, bust-length

Sale Date: January 29, 2015

Auction Closed

Marie Gunning, Countess of Coventry

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Marie Gunning, Countess of Coventry

Sale Date: January 17, 2015

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Portrait of a British Naval Officer

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a British Naval Officer

Sale Date: December 14, 2014

Auction Closed

A lodge in a park, with children descending steps

Thomas Gainsborough

A lodge in a park, with children descending steps

Sale Date: December 17, 2014

Auction Closed

Half length portrait of a gentleman wearing a...

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Half length portrait of a gentleman wearing a...

Sale Date: December 4, 2014

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Study of a donkey laden with panniers and...

Thomas Gainsborough

Study of a donkey laden with panniers and...

Sale Date: December 2, 2014

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A stream in a wooded landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

A stream in a wooded landscape

Sale Date: December 2, 2014

Auction Closed

Portrait of an officer, traditionally identified

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of an officer, traditionally identified

Sale Date: December 3, 2014

Auction Closed

Portrait of Mrs Elizabeth Edgar, half-length,...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mrs Elizabeth Edgar, half-length,...

Sale Date: December 4, 2014

Auction Closed

A Study for the Portrait of lady Derby

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

A Study for the Portrait of lady Derby

Sale Date: October 8, 2014

Auction Closed

Portrait of lady in blue silk

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of lady in blue silk

Sale Date: September 20, 2014

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Ritratto di giovane donna

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Ritratto di giovane donna

Sale Date: July 5, 2014

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Tristram and Fox

Thomas Gainsborough

Tristram and Fox

Sale Date: July 10, 2014

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The cottage door

Thomas Gainsborough

The cottage door

Sale Date: July 9, 2014

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Landscape with cattle

After Thomas Gainsborough

Landscape with cattle

Sale Date: June 18, 2014

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Portrait of lady Fludyer

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of lady Fludyer

Sale Date: June 5, 2014

Auction Closed

Portrait of Lord Athburton

School of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Lord Athburton

Sale Date: May 16, 2014

Auction Closed