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)
Portrait of Elizabeth Honywood and her son..., 1767

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Elizabeth Honywood and her son..., 1767

Sale Date: November 10, 2006

Auction Closed

Landschaft mit Baum, 1755–1758

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Landschaft mit Baum, 1755–1758

Sale Date: September 22, 2006

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Weg in bewaldeter Landschaft, 1755–1758

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Weg in bewaldeter Landschaft, 1755–1758

Sale Date: September 22, 2006

Auction Closed

Portrait of an elegant lady

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of an elegant lady

Sale Date: October 26, 2005

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Portrait of Mrs Horton, neé Anne Luttrell, later

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mrs Horton, neé Anne Luttrell, later

Sale Date: June 6, 2006

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The return from shooting (after Teniers)

Thomas Gainsborough

The return from shooting (after Teniers)

Sale Date: June 8, 2006

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Portrait of Elizabeth Uvedale, half-length, in a

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Elizabeth Uvedale, half-length, in a

Sale Date: June 8, 2006

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Portrait of the Hon. Mrs Watson, later lady...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of the Hon. Mrs Watson, later lady...

Sale Date: June 8, 2006

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Portrait of Mrs Thomas Prowse, half-length, in a

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mrs Thomas Prowse, half-length, in a

Sale Date: June 8, 2006

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Portrait of Walwyn Graves, of Mickleton..., 1770

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Walwyn Graves, of Mickleton..., 1770

Sale Date: June 8, 2006

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Mountain landscape with figure, sheep and stream

Thomas Gainsborough

Mountain landscape with figure, sheep and stream

Sale Date: June 7, 2006

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Wooded landscape with four riders and two cows

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with four riders and two cows

Sale Date: June 7, 2006

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A river landscape with travellers resting on the

Thomas Gainsborough

A river landscape with travellers resting on the

Sale Date: June 7, 2006

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with shepherd resting by a...

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with shepherd resting by a...

Sale Date: June 7, 2006

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A track through a wooded landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

A track through a wooded landscape

Sale Date: June 5, 2006

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A wooded river landscape with figures..., 1770–1775

Thomas Gainsborough

A wooded river landscape with figures..., 1770–1775

Sale Date: June 5, 2006

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Portrait of a gentleman in a red coat, holding a

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman in a red coat, holding a

Sale Date: May 24, 2006

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Portrait of Maria Walpole, Countess of...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Maria Walpole, Countess of...

Sale Date: April 6, 2006

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Portrait of an officer of the 1st Dragoon..., 1756

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of an officer of the 1st Dragoon..., 1756

Sale Date: April 6, 2006

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Portrait of a lady (Lady Louisa..., 1775–1779

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady (Lady Louisa..., 1775–1779

Sale Date: April 6, 2006

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Portrait of Mrs Horton, neé Anne Luttrell,...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mrs Horton, neé Anne Luttrell,...

Sale Date: February 7, 2006

Auction Closed

An extensive landscape with farmers resting with

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

An extensive landscape with farmers resting with

Sale Date: January 19, 2006

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Wooded landscape with figure, lime kiln , 1775–1779

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with figure, lime kiln , 1775–1779

Sale Date: December 8, 2005

Auction Closed

A wooded landscape with herdsman and..., 1760–1769

Thomas Gainsborough

A wooded landscape with herdsman and..., 1760–1769

Sale Date: December 8, 2005

Auction Closed