Thomas Gainsborough
1727–1788 · Rococo & Neoclassicism
Biography
Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) was, with Reynolds, the leading English portraitist of the eighteenth century. He preferred landscape, however, and often set his sitters in the countryside with light, feathery brushwork.
From the artist’s life
Although he made a significant contribution to the English landscape-painting tradition, Gainsborough earned his living by portraying the rich and famous. In 1759 he left his home in Suffolk for the fashionable spa town of Bath, and only then did business begin to flourish; it received a further boost when he moved to London in 1774 and reached its peak in 1780, when he also won royal favour after painting King George III.
From the page of The Blue Boy
Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) was one of the leading English portrait and landscape painters of the 18th century, a founding member of the Royal Academy and rival of Joshua Reynolds.
From the page of Mr and Mrs William Hallett ('The Morning Walk')
