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 REV. JOSEPH AMPHLETT,..., 1778–1778

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF THE REV. JOSEPH AMPHLETT,..., 1778–1778

Sale Date: April 20, 1990

Auction Closed

HOBBINOL AND GANDERETTA

After Thomas Gainsborough

HOBBINOL AND GANDERETTA

Sale Date: April 9, 1990

Auction Closed

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH A HAY WAGGON, COTTAGES...

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH A HAY WAGGON, COTTAGES...

Sale Date: April 5, 1990

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF ANNE FURYE

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF ANNE FURYE

Sale Date: April 5, 1990

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF LORD CHESTERFIELD, BUST..., 1769–1769

Circle of Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF LORD CHESTERFIELD, BUST..., 1769–1769

Sale Date: April 4, 1990

Auction Closed

FIGURES AND HORSES BY THE WALL OF A HOUSE

Thomas Gainsborough

FIGURES AND HORSES BY THE WALL OF A HOUSE

Sale Date: March 21, 1990

Auction Closed

Mary, Countess Howe, 1979–1979

After Thomas Gainsborough

Mary, Countess Howe, 1979–1979

Sale Date: March 20, 1990

Auction Closed

CATTLE WATERING AT A POND BENEATH TREES

Thomas Gainsborough

CATTLE WATERING AT A POND BENEATH TREES

Sale Date: March 15, 1990

Auction Closed

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH BUILDINGS AND..., 1780–1789

Thomas Gainsborough

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH BUILDINGS AND..., 1780–1789

Sale Date: March 15, 1990

Auction Closed

An urn in a woodland dell, 1760–1769

Thomas Gainsborough

An urn in a woodland dell, 1760–1769

Sale Date: March 15, 1990

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF ISAAC ELTON (1739-1790) OF..., 1760–1760

Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF ISAAC ELTON (1739-1790) OF..., 1760–1760

Sale Date: March 14, 1990

Auction Closed

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH GIPSIES ROUND A..., 1764–1764

Thomas Gainsborough

WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH GIPSIES ROUND A..., 1764–1764

Sale Date: March 7, 1990

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE

After Thomas Gainsborough

PORTRAIT OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE

Sale Date: February 28, 1990

Auction Closed

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH SHEEP AND FARM BUILDINGS

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

A WOODED LANDSCAPE WITH SHEEP AND FARM BUILDINGS

Sale Date: February 1, 1990

Auction Closed

An interior scene with a lady and gentleman, the

In the manner of Thomas Gainsborough

An interior scene with a lady and gentleman, the

Sale Date: January 29, 1990

Auction Closed

A landscape with a traveller on the road in the...

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

A landscape with a traveller on the road in the...

Sale Date: January 22, 1990

Auction Closed

An open landscape, with a herdsman..., 1786–1786

Thomas Gainsborough

An open landscape, with a herdsman..., 1786–1786

Sale Date: January 10, 1990

Auction Closed

THE BLUE PAGE

Thomas Gainsborough

THE BLUE PAGE

Sale Date: December 6, 1989

Auction Closed

Major Dade and his two pointers in a landscape

Thomas Gainsborough

Major Dade and his two pointers in a landscape

Sale Date: November 17, 1989

Auction Closed

Portrait of Miss Theodosia Magill, in a , 1765–1765

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Miss Theodosia Magill, in a , 1765–1765

Sale Date: November 17, 1989

Auction Closed

Portrait of Miss Boone, wearing a white dress...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Miss Boone, wearing a white dress...

Sale Date: November 17, 1989

Auction Closed

Portrait of the Rev. Humphrey Gainsborough,...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of the Rev. Humphrey Gainsborough,...

Sale Date: November 17, 1989

Auction Closed

Portrait of a gentleman wearing a dark blue...

Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of a gentleman wearing a dark blue...

Sale Date: November 17, 1989

Auction Closed

Portrait of Sarah Paige, wearing a dress trimmed

Follower of Thomas Gainsborough

Portrait of Sarah Paige, wearing a dress trimmed

Sale Date: November 17, 1989

Auction Closed

English (US)

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