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 a lady

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a lady

Sale Date: July 16, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF BUCCLEUCH

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF BUCCLEUCH

Sale Date: July 16, 1992

Auction Closed

STUDY OF TREES

Thomas Gainsborough

STUDY OF TREES

Sale Date: July 16, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH..., 1760–1765

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH..., 1760–1765

Sale Date: July 15, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, PROBABLY MISS ELIZABETH..., 1755

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, PROBABLY MISS ELIZABETH..., 1755

Sale Date: July 15, 1992

Auction Closed

MOUNTED HERDSMAN DRIVING A HERD OF..., 1770–1775

Thomas Gainsborough

MOUNTED HERDSMAN DRIVING A HERD OF..., 1770–1775

Sale Date: July 15, 1992

Auction Closed

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH HERDSMAN AND..., 1775–1780

Thomas Gainsborough

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH HERDSMAN AND..., 1775–1780

Sale Date: July 14, 1992

Auction Closed

STUDY OF A MOUNTED HORSEMAN, POSSIBLY GEORGE,...

Thomas Gainsborough

STUDY OF A MOUNTED HORSEMAN, POSSIBLY GEORGE,...

Sale Date: July 14, 1992

Auction Closed

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH A HERDSMAN AND CATTLE BY

Thomas Gainsborough

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH A HERDSMAN AND CATTLE BY

Sale Date: July 14, 1992

Auction Closed

A PEASANT FAMILY GOING TO MARKET

Thomas Gainsborough

A PEASANT FAMILY GOING TO MARKET

Sale Date: July 14, 1992

Auction Closed

Horses in a landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

Horses in a landscape

Sale Date: July 13, 1992

Auction Closed

FIGURES WITH THEIR HORSE DRAWN CART CROSSING A...

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

FIGURES WITH THEIR HORSE DRAWN CART CROSSING A...

Sale Date: June 23, 1992

Auction Closed

Portrait de jeune femme

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait de jeune femme

Sale Date: May 26, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, SAID TO BE MRS. ASHLEY

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, SAID TO BE MRS. ASHLEY

Sale Date: May 22, 1992

Auction Closed

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH FAGGOT GATHERERS AND WHITE

Thomas Gainsborough

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH FAGGOT GATHERERS AND WHITE

Sale Date: May 20, 1992

Auction Closed

CORNARD WOOD WITH WORKMEN BY A PATH

After Thomas Gainsborough

CORNARD WOOD WITH WORKMEN BY A PATH

Sale Date: May 19, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF JOHN CAMPBELL HOOKE OF BANGESTON,...

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF JOHN CAMPBELL HOOKE OF BANGESTON,...

Sale Date: April 8, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF SIR WILLIAM STANHOPE (1702-1772), 1764

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF SIR WILLIAM STANHOPE (1702-1772), 1764

Sale Date: April 8, 1992

Auction Closed

RAST IM WALDESDUNKEL

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

RAST IM WALDESDUNKEL

Sale Date: March 19, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF MRS. SIDDONS

After Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF MRS. SIDDONS

Sale Date: March 19, 1992

Auction Closed

PEASANT WOMEN BEFORE A RURAL COTAGE

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

PEASANT WOMEN BEFORE A RURAL COTAGE

Sale Date: February 6, 1992

Auction Closed

The little cottager & Interior of a cottage

After Thomas Gainsborough

The little cottager & Interior of a cottage

Sale Date: February 5, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF FRANCIS, LORD DE DUNSTANVILLE AND

After Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF FRANCIS, LORD DE DUNSTANVILLE AND

Sale Date: January 22, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN WITH A RED WAIST COAST

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN WITH A RED WAIST COAST

Sale Date: January 22, 1992

Auction Closed

English (US)

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