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)
Portrait of the artist

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of the artist

Sale Date: April 15, 1994

Auction Closed

Young Couple on a path beside a pond

Thomas Gainsborough

Young Couple on a path beside a pond

Sale Date: April 15, 1994

Auction Closed

Sleeping rustic on a bank, with horse tethered...

Thomas Gainsborough

Sleeping rustic on a bank, with horse tethered...

Sale Date: April 15, 1994

Auction Closed

The Market Cart

After Thomas Gainsborough

The Market Cart

Sale Date: April 15, 1994

Auction Closed

WOODLAND LANDSCAPE, 1753–1758

Thomas Gainsborough

WOODLAND LANDSCAPE, 1753–1758

Sale Date: April 14, 1994

Auction Closed

STUDY OF A TREE

Thomas Gainsborough

STUDY OF A TREE

Sale Date: April 14, 1994

Auction Closed

STUDY OF MALLOWS

Thomas Gainsborough

STUDY OF MALLOWS

Sale Date: April 14, 1994

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF THOMAS FANE, 8TH EARL OF WESTMORLAND

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF THOMAS FANE, 8TH EARL OF WESTMORLAND

Sale Date: April 13, 1994

Auction Closed

Landscape with a figure on a horse

Thomas Gainsborough

Landscape with a figure on a horse

Sale Date: April 12, 1994

Auction Closed

Figures by a cart in a wooded landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

Figures by a cart in a wooded landscape

Sale Date: April 12, 1994

Auction Closed

Travellers on a wooded track

Thomas Gainsborough

Travellers on a wooded track

Sale Date: April 12, 1994

Auction Closed

Cottages in a wooded landscape

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Cottages in a wooded landscape

Sale Date: March 31, 1994

Auction Closed

Farm cart and figures near a pond

Thomas Gainsborough

Farm cart and figures near a pond

Sale Date: February 16, 1994

Auction Closed

Coastal landscape with figures on a path

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Coastal landscape with figures on a path

Sale Date: February 9, 1994

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG LADY

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG LADY

Sale Date: January 19, 1994

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, SAID TO BE THE HON. MRS....

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, SAID TO BE THE HON. MRS....

Sale Date: January 19, 1994

Auction Closed

AN OPEN LANDSCAPE

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

AN OPEN LANDSCAPE

Sale Date: January 12, 1994

Auction Closed

LITTLE BLUE BOY

Thomas Gainsborough

LITTLE BLUE BOY

Sale Date: December 19, 1993

Auction Closed

AN OPEN LANDSCAPE

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

AN OPEN LANDSCAPE

Sale Date: November 11, 1993

Auction Closed

King Charles Spaniel

After Thomas Gainsborough

King Charles Spaniel

Sale Date: November 10, 1993

Auction Closed

LANDSCAPE WITH DONKEYS

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

LANDSCAPE WITH DONKEYS

Sale Date: November 10, 1993

Auction Closed

Friesian bulls in a river landscape

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Friesian bulls in a river landscape

Sale Date: November 4, 1993

Auction Closed

DUNENLANDSCHAFT

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

DUNENLANDSCHAFT

Sale Date: October 20, 1993

Auction Closed

CATTLE WATERING

School of Thomas Gainsborough

CATTLE WATERING

Sale Date: October 8, 1993

Auction Closed

English (US)

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