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 News

Museums & Institutions

Leaky Roof Causes Serious Concern for Welsh National Museum Amid Pleas for Urgent Repairs

by Verity Babbs

Leaky Roof Causes Serious Concern for Welsh National Museum Amid Pleas for Urgent Repairs

Need an Absorbing Read for the Holidays? Check Out These 13 Books Recommended by the Artnet News Staff

Need an Absorbing Read for the Holidays? Check Out These 13 Books Recommended by the Artnet News Staff

Dozens of Previously Unknown Thomas Gainsborough Drawings Are Discovered in a Library Book

Dozens of Previously Unknown Thomas Gainsborough Drawings Are Discovered in a Library Book

Thomas Gainsborough Artworks

Thomas Gainsborough (997 results)

A View in the Lake District, possibly Folly...

Thomas Gainsborough

A View in the Lake District, possibly Folly...

Sale Date: July 3, 2013

Auction Closed

A coastal landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

A coastal landscape

Sale Date: July 4, 2013

Auction Closed

Study of an angel

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Study of an angel

Sale Date: July 5, 2013

Auction Closed

A path around a knoll, cottages beyond

Thomas Gainsborough

A path around a knoll, cottages beyond

Sale Date: July 2, 2013

Auction Closed

A wooded landscape with cattle at a watering place

Thomas Gainsborough

A wooded landscape with cattle at a watering place

Sale Date: July 2, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady in a blue dress with white...

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady in a blue dress with white...

Sale Date: June 18, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of Elizabeth Vivian (1751-1823) of...

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Elizabeth Vivian (1751-1823) of...

Sale Date: June 5, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman, thought to be Thomas...

After Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman, thought to be Thomas...

Sale Date: May 1, 2013

Auction Closed

A portrait of William Petty, 1st Marquess of...

Thomas Gainsborough

A portrait of William Petty, 1st Marquess of...

Sale Date: May 8, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of Caroline, 4th Duchess of...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Caroline, 4th Duchess of...

Sale Date: January 31, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of lady Alston

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of lady Alston

Sale Date: January 31, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of lady Catherine Ponsonby, Duchess of...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of lady Catherine Ponsonby, Duchess of...

Sale Date: January 31, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of Miss Eleanor Hobson

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Miss Eleanor Hobson

Sale Date: January 31, 2013

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman Standing in a Landscape

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman Standing in a Landscape

Sale Date: February 21, 2011

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, in a blue...

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, in a blue...

Sale Date: December 4, 2012

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, in a green

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, in a green

Sale Date: December 4, 2012

Auction Closed

Horses watering in a landscape

After Thomas Gainsborough

Horses watering in a landscape

Sale Date: December 4, 2012

Auction Closed

Portrait of Mr. Coke of Brookhill Hall,...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mr. Coke of Brookhill Hall,...

Sale Date: December 5, 2012

Auction Closed

Equestrian portrait of Albert, duc d'Arenberg,...

Thomas Gainsborough

Equestrian portrait of Albert, duc d'Arenberg,...

Sale Date: December 4, 2012

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman Holding a Book

Studio of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman Holding a Book

Sale Date: November 13, 2012

Auction Closed

A Church in a Wooded Landscape, 1780–1785

Thomas Gainsborough

A Church in a Wooded Landscape, 1780–1785

Sale Date: November 15, 2012

Auction Closed

Figures By a Track Through a Wooded..., 1750–1755

Thomas Gainsborough

Figures By a Track Through a Wooded..., 1750–1755

Sale Date: November 15, 2012

Auction Closed

A study of trees

Thomas Gainsborough

A study of trees

Sale Date: October 24, 2012

Auction Closed

landscape with Cottage

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

landscape with Cottage

Sale Date: September 9, 2012

Auction Closed

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