Sarah Kirby (née Bull); John Joshua Kirby

Sittersback to top

• Joshua Kirby (1716-1774), Artist and student of linear perspective; friend of Thomas Gainsborough. Sitter associated with 7 portraits.
• Sarah Kirby (née Bull) (circa 1718-1775), Wife of John Joshua Kirby. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), Portrait and landscape painter. Artist associated with 262 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Gainsborough got to know Kirby when the two men collaborated on a painting around 1748. They became life-long friends and soon after Gainsborough painted this informal portrait of the couple and their dog. While the scene seems to be set in the English countryside - probably their native Suffolk - X-rays show that Gainsborough's original plan was grander and more French in style. The rustic landscape once included a classical sculpture which Gainsborough covered up with the tree-trunk.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Gibson, Robin, The Face in the Corner: Animal Portraits from the Collections of the National Portrait Gallery, 1998, p. 40
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 59
• Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 162
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 355

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Beningbrough Hall
• Couples
• Double portraits
• Landscapes
• Pets and animals