Thomas Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788), English, Thomas Gainsborough, a seminal figure in British art, was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, in 1727 and passed away in 1788. Renowned for his portraits and landscapes, Gainsborough's work epitomized the elegance and lightness of the 18th-century British aesthetic. Alongside Sir Joshua Reynolds, he stood as a pillar of the era's art scene, contributing significantly to the development of the British landscape school. His early talent was evident; by the age of ten, he was already crafting miniature self-portraits and landscapes. Gainsborough's formative years in London under the tutelage of engraver Hubert Gravelot and his association with William Hogarth's circle laid the foundation for his illustrious career. His marriage to Margaret Burr in 1746, who brought a substantial annuity, provided him with financial stability to pursue his artistic endeavors. Gainsborough's mature works are celebrated for their vibrant palette and fluid brushwork, reflecting his preference for landscapes over portraiture, despite his fame in the latter. A founding member of the Royal Academy, his legacy endures in the collections of major museums worldwide and at Gainsborough's House in Sudbury, now a museum dedicated to his life and art.