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
Art World

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

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

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

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

Thomas Gainsborough Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Thomas Gainsborough (997 results)
A self-portrait of the artist

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

A self-portrait of the artist

Sale Date: November 19, 1997

Auction Closed

A river landscape with children, cows and a mill

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

A river landscape with children, cows and a mill

Sale Date: November 13, 1997

Auction Closed

Portrait of Philip Dupont, 1775–1775

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Philip Dupont, 1775–1775

Sale Date: November 12, 1997

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with church, cow and figure

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with church, cow and figure

Sale Date: October 22, 1997

Auction Closed

Junge Dame mit Federhut

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Junge Dame mit Federhut

Sale Date: October 14, 1997

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with sheep on a country..., 1785

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with sheep on a country..., 1785

Sale Date: July 10, 1997

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with buildings and figures

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with buildings and figures

Sale Date: July 10, 1997

Auction Closed

A horse-drawn cart on a track in a wooded...

Thomas Gainsborough

A horse-drawn cart on a track in a wooded...

Sale Date: July 10, 1997

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady

Sale Date: June 26, 1997

Auction Closed

Rare collection of mezzotints and..., 1750–1800

After Thomas Gainsborough

Rare collection of mezzotints and..., 1750–1800

Sale Date: June 26, 1997

Auction Closed

Portrait of Mrs. William Davenport, née Martha...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mrs. William Davenport, née Martha...

Sale Date: May 22, 1997

Auction Closed

Portrait of Peter Godfrey, Esq., 1785

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Peter Godfrey, Esq., 1785

Sale Date: May 22, 1997

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with shepherd, sheep and tower

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with shepherd, sheep and tower

Sale Date: April 10, 1997

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with shepherd, sheep and his...

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with shepherd, sheep and his...

Sale Date: April 10, 1997

Auction Closed

Bildnis der Gemahlin des Zaren Paul I. Maria...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Bildnis der Gemahlin des Zaren Paul I. Maria...

Sale Date: March 4, 1997

Auction Closed

A river landscape with travellers resting on the

Thomas Gainsborough

A river landscape with travellers resting on the

Sale Date: January 31, 1997

Auction Closed

Portrait of Frances, Mrs. Alexander Champion

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Frances, Mrs. Alexander Champion

Sale Date: January 30, 1997

Auction Closed

Portrait of a periwigged gentleman in a red...

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a periwigged gentleman in a red...

Sale Date: December 1, 1996

Auction Closed

A landscape with figures, sheep and cattle...

Thomas Gainsborough

A landscape with figures, sheep and cattle...

Sale Date: November 14, 1996

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with cottages and a chapel

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with cottages and a chapel

Sale Date: November 14, 1996

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with a reclining shepherd and...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with a reclining shepherd and...

Sale Date: October 3, 1996

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman, half length, holding a...

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman, half length, holding a...

Sale Date: October 2, 1996

Auction Closed

Evening: a landscape with cattle returning home

Thomas Gainsborough

Evening: a landscape with cattle returning home

Sale Date: July 12, 1996

Auction Closed

Portrait of Sir John Whitefoord, Bt. of Blairquhan

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Sir John Whitefoord, Bt. of Blairquhan

Sale Date: July 10, 1996

Auction Closed

English (US)

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