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 shepherd and flock by a wooded knoll

Thomas Gainsborough

A shepherd and flock by a wooded knoll

Sale Date: March 13, 1996

Auction Closed

Porträt af Mrs. Sheridan

After Thomas Gainsborough

Porträt af Mrs. Sheridan

Sale Date: February 27, 1996

Auction Closed

Portrait of John Wilkinson, 1903

After Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of John Wilkinson, 1903

Sale Date: January 26, 1996

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with figures and cottage

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with figures and cottage

Sale Date: December 6, 1995

Auction Closed

Paysage

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Paysage

Sale Date: November 24, 1995

Auction Closed

Village street with three cottages

Thomas Gainsborough

Village street with three cottages

Sale Date: November 9, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady

Sale Date: November 9, 1995

Auction Closed

Coastal landscape with figures on a path

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Coastal landscape with figures on a path

Sale Date: October 11, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of Willielma, Lady Glenorchy

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Willielma, Lady Glenorchy

Sale Date: October 6, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady (Elizabeth Clothworthy?)...

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady (Elizabeth Clothworthy?)...

Sale Date: August 10, 1995

Auction Closed

The watering place

After Thomas Gainsborough

The watering place

Sale Date: July 20, 1995

Auction Closed

Pastoral landscape

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Pastoral landscape

Sale Date: July 20, 1995

Auction Closed

Rustic with horse approaching a village

Thomas Gainsborough

Rustic with horse approaching a village

Sale Date: July 13, 1995

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape with a drover, sheep and a...

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape with a drover, sheep and a...

Sale Date: July 13, 1995

Auction Closed

The Cobbold family portrait, 1750

Thomas Gainsborough

The Cobbold family portrait, 1750

Sale Date: July 12, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of Mrs. Mary Gainsborough, the artist's

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Mrs. Mary Gainsborough, the artist's

Sale Date: July 12, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of Captain John Walmsley

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Captain John Walmsley

Sale Date: July 12, 1995

Auction Closed

Three horses and a drover on a country road

Thomas Gainsborough

Three horses and a drover on a country road

Sale Date: July 11, 1995

Auction Closed

Repose

Thomas Gainsborough

Repose

Sale Date: June 29, 1995

Auction Closed

Figures and animals by buildings in the country

Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough

Figures and animals by buildings in the country

Sale Date: June 17, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady

After Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady

Sale Date: June 8, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady

Sale Date: June 8, 1995

Auction Closed

Bildnis eines Herrn in blauem Rock

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Bildnis eines Herrn in blauem Rock

Sale Date: June 8, 1995

Auction Closed

Portrait of the Reverend John Clubbe

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of the Reverend John Clubbe

Sale Date: May 31, 1995

Auction Closed

English (US)

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