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: January 22, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SIR JOHN SEBRIGHT, BT.

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SIR JOHN SEBRIGHT, BT.

Sale Date: January 17, 1992

Auction Closed

THE MALL

After Thomas Gainsborough

THE MALL

Sale Date: January 14, 1992

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRL, STANDING THREE-QUARTER

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRL, STANDING THREE-QUARTER

Sale Date: January 13, 1992

Auction Closed

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH RUSTIC LOVERS,..., 1784–1785

Thomas Gainsborough

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH RUSTIC LOVERS,..., 1784–1785

Sale Date: December 13, 1991

Auction Closed

FIGURES BY CATTLE WATERING IN A WOODED LANDSCAPE

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

FIGURES BY CATTLE WATERING IN A WOODED LANDSCAPE

Sale Date: December 5, 1991

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, TRADITIONALLY IDENTIFIED AS...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF A LADY, TRADITIONALLY IDENTIFIED AS...

Sale Date: November 15, 1991

Auction Closed

SIR JOHN SKYNNER, 1785–1786

Thomas Gainsborough

SIR JOHN SKYNNER, 1785–1786

Sale Date: November 15, 1991

Auction Closed

A VIEW POSSIBLY OF EXETER FROM THE EXE

Thomas Gainsborough

A VIEW POSSIBLY OF EXETER FROM THE EXE

Sale Date: November 14, 1991

Auction Closed

Wooded landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

Wooded landscape

Sale Date: November 14, 1991

Auction Closed

A boy reclining by a rock, 1780–1780

Thomas Gainsborough

A boy reclining by a rock, 1780–1780

Sale Date: November 14, 1991

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF SARAH COUNTESS OF KINNOULL..., 1780

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF SARAH COUNTESS OF KINNOULL..., 1780

Sale Date: November 13, 1991

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF HARRIET, VISCOUNTESS TRACEY, 1760–1765

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF HARRIET, VISCOUNTESS TRACEY, 1760–1765

Sale Date: November 13, 1991

Auction Closed

REITER, ZWEI DAMEN U.

Thomas Gainsborough

REITER, ZWEI DAMEN U.

Sale Date: November 12, 1991

Auction Closed

H.R.H GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES (LATER GEORGE III)

After Thomas Gainsborough

H.R.H GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES (LATER GEORGE III)

Sale Date: November 12, 1991

Auction Closed

A COWHAND HERDING CATTLE DOWN A COUNTRY LANE, 1780

Thomas Gainsborough

A COWHAND HERDING CATTLE DOWN A COUNTRY LANE, 1780

Sale Date: November 11, 1991

Auction Closed

FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE

After Thomas Gainsborough

FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE

Sale Date: October 12, 1991

Auction Closed

HERDSMEN WITH CATTLE IN LANDSCAPE

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

HERDSMEN WITH CATTLE IN LANDSCAPE

Sale Date: September 19, 1991

Auction Closed

AN EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPE WITH A BOY..., 1755–1757

Thomas Gainsborough

AN EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPE WITH A BOY..., 1755–1757

Sale Date: July 12, 1991

Auction Closed

ELEGANT FIGURES RESTING IN A LANDSCAPE & ELEGANT

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

ELEGANT FIGURES RESTING IN A LANDSCAPE & ELEGANT

Sale Date: July 11, 1991

Auction Closed

Mountainous landscape with carts an figures, 1783

Thomas Gainsborough

Mountainous landscape with carts an figures, 1783

Sale Date: July 11, 1991

Auction Closed

A rustic scene with a shepherdess and her..., 1760

Thomas Gainsborough

A rustic scene with a shepherdess and her..., 1760

Sale Date: July 11, 1991

Auction Closed

FIGURES AND HORSES BY BUIL- DINGS ON A..., 1780

Thomas Gainsborough

FIGURES AND HORSES BY BUIL- DINGS ON A..., 1780

Sale Date: July 11, 1991

Auction Closed

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH A DROVER AND CATTLE..., 1770

Thomas Gainsborough

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH A DROVER AND CATTLE..., 1770

Sale Date: July 10, 1991

Auction Closed

English (US)

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