Thomas Gainsborough

English portrait and landscape painter (1727-1788) · United Kingdom · Artists · Died at 61

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He painted England's aristocracy with such speed and lightness that the brushwork itself became part of the charm - but he'd have rather painted trees.

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A life in dates

1788Died2 August 17881772“When the streets are paved with brilliants and the skies made of rainbows I suppose you'll be contented and satisfied with red, blue and yellow..”In their wordsletter of Gainbourough, 1772; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York, Charles Scribner's Sons - London, Smith,Read the whole statement

1768“to Joshua Kirby, Esq. - to be left at the Turk's Head, Gerrard Street, St. Ann's, London - Mr. President and Gentlemen, Directors of the Society of Artists of Great Britain.”In their words5 December 1768letter, Bath, 5 Dec. 1768; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York, Charles Scribner's Sons - London, Smith, ElderRead the whole statement

“..as I met with Mr. (Dunning there. There is something exclusive of the clear and deep understanding of that gentleman most exceedingly pleasing to me.”In their words2 September 1768letter to his friend William Jackson of Exeter, from Bath, 2 Sept. 1768; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York,Read the whole statement

“One part of a picture ought to be like the first part of a tune, that you guess what follows, and that makes the second part of the tune, and so I'm done..”In their wordsFebruary 1768letter to his friend William Jackson of Exeter, from Bath, Feb. 1768; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York,Read the whole statement

1767“damn gentlemen, there is not such a set of enemies to a real artist in the world as they are, if not kept at a proper distance..”In their words2 September 1767letter to his friend William Jackson of Exeter, from Bath, 2 Sept 1767; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York,Read the whole statement

1757“I am favoured with your obliging letter, and shall finish your picture in two or three days at farthest, and send to Colchester according to your order, with a frame. I thank you.”In their words24 February 1757letter, 24 Feb. 1757 from Ipswich, to a correspondent in the neighbouring town of Colchester; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by WilliamRead the whole statement

1727Born14 May 1727

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Thomas Gainsborough by Thomas Gainsborough

A Lady Walking in a Garden with a Child, by Thomas Gainsborough (Getty 103R99)

A View in Suffolk

A wooded Landscape with Herdsmen, Cows and Sheep near a Pool, figures outside a cottage beyond(113521)

A wooded river landscape with a herdsman driving cattle, sailing boats in the distance)

Dictionary of painters and engravers (1903) (14804545223)

El leñador (The Woodman) - Peter Simon, según Thomas Gainsborough

Fair women in painting and poetry (1894) (14577348270)

In their own words 10

Thomas Gainsborough

10 statements, newest first

When the streets are paved with brilliants and the skies made of rainbows I suppose you'll be contented and satisfied with red, blue and yellow..
1772, letter of Gainbourough, 1772; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York, Charles Scribner's Sons - London, Smith,, Own words
And here I give it under my hand that I will most willingly begin upon a new canvas [after his first portrait of Lady Dartmouth was criticized and rejected].
Apr 13, 1771, letter to Lord Dartmouth, 13 April 1771; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York, Charles Scribner's Sons -, Own words
to Joshua Kirby, Esq. - to be left at the Turk's Head, Gerrard Street, St. Ann's, London - Mr. President and Gentlemen, Directors of the Society of Artists of Great Britain.
Dec 5, 1768, letter, Bath, 5 Dec. 1768; as cited in Thomas Gainsborough, by William T, Whitley; New York, Charles Scribner's Sons - London, Smith, Elder, Own words

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Family

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Thomas Gainsborough

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Spouse Margaret Burr Gainsborough

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About this person

Gainsborough was baptised in May 1727 and spent his career split between two loves: the portrait commissions that paid, and the landscapes that satisfied him. Alongside rival Joshua Reynolds, he became one of the most important British artists of the 18th century, his mature work marked by a light palette and quick, easy strokes. He's credited, with Richard Wilson, as the originator of the 18th-century British landscape school, though he remained a prolific portrait painter to the end. He was a founding member of the Royal Academy and worked as a painter, draughtsman, and printmaker until his death in August 1788.

Country

United Kingdom

Artists from the United Kingdom 6

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