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Thomas Gainsborough

(1727-1788), Portrait and landscape painter

Sitter in 8 portraits
Artist associated with 268 portraits
Landscape and portrait painter. Gainsborough worked in his native Sudbury and then Ipswich until 1759 when he moved to Bath and established a fashionable portrait practice. Settling in London in 1774, he was Joshua Reynolds's only real rival as a portrait painter. Gainsborough quarrelled with the Royal Academy over the exhibition of his pictures; he was highly-strung in personality, a lively letter writer and devoted to music. Garrick said 'his cranium is so crammed with genius of every kind that it is in danger of bursting on you like a steam engine overcharged'.

More on Gainsborough: Gainsborough's Family Album exhibition | Explore the portrait of Thomas Gainsborough by E. Ortner (NPG D2917) from all angles

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Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe, by John Henry Robinson, published by  London Printing and Publishing Company Limited, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D3277

Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe

by John Henry Robinson, published by London Printing and Publishing Company Limited, after Thomas Gainsborough
stipple and line engraving, mid 19th century
NPG D3277

Nancy Parsons, by George Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D3694

Nancy Parsons

by George Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, mid 19th century
NPG D3694

Samuel Peploe Jr, probably by James Thomson (Thompson), published by  Agnew & Zanetti, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D35666

Samuel Peploe Jr

probably by James Thomson (Thompson), published by Agnew & Zanetti, after Thomas Gainsborough
engraving, published January 1831
NPG D35666

Samuel Peploe Jr, by Thomson, published by  Agnew & Zanetti, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D16786

Samuel Peploe Jr

by Thomson, published by Agnew & Zanetti, after Thomas Gainsborough
stipple engraving, published 1831
NPG D16786

Lord Frederick Campbell, by Henry Bone, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D17782

Lord Frederick Campbell

by Henry Bone, after Thomas Gainsborough
pen and ink, before 1832
NPG D17782

Edward Smith Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, probably by William Derby, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D23123

Edward Smith Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby

probably by William Derby, after Thomas Gainsborough
pencil, circa 1835-1842 (in or after 1785)
NPG D23123

Louisa Barbara, Lady Vernon, by Edward Morton, printed by  Graf & Soret, published by  Joseph Dickinson, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D39234

Louisa Barbara, Lady Vernon

by Edward Morton, printed by Graf & Soret, published by Joseph Dickinson, after Thomas Gainsborough
lithograph, published July 1835
NPG D39234

Philip Yorke of Erthig, by Edward Scriven, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D36257

Philip Yorke of Erthig

by Edward Scriven, after Thomas Gainsborough
engraving, before 1841
NPG D36257

Thomas Gainsborough, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D2411

Thomas Gainsborough

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1850s-1880s (1787-1788)
NPG D2411

David Garrick, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D2418

David Garrick

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1850s-1880s (1766-1769)
NPG D2418

Isabel Howland, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D3115

Isabel Howland

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1850s-1880s
NPG D3115

Anne Pleydell (née Luttrell), by Arthur N. Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D3925

Anne Pleydell (née Luttrell)

by Arthur N. Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1850-1860 (circa 1765)
NPG D3925

Anne Pleydell (née Luttrell), by Arthur N. Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D13967

Anne Pleydell (née Luttrell)

by Arthur N. Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1850-1860 (circa 1765)
NPG D13967

The three eldest daughters of King George III, by Arthur N. Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D33317

The three eldest daughters of King George III

by Arthur N. Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, circa 1860-1900 (1784)
NPG D33317

Anne Howard (née Witham), by Arthur N. Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D3113

Anne Howard (née Witham)

by Arthur N. Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1860s-1870s (1760s-1770s)
NPG D3113

Edward Vernon, by Arthur N. Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D4602

Edward Vernon

by Arthur N. Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1860s-1890s (circa 1753)
NPG D4602

'The Blue Boy' (Jonathan Buttall), by Robert Graves, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D32506

'The Blue Boy' (Jonathan Buttall)

by Robert Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
line engraving, published 1868 (1770)
NPG D32506

'The Blue Boy' (Jonathan Buttall), by Robert Graves, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D32507

'The Blue Boy' (Jonathan Buttall)

by Robert Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
line engraving, published 1868 (1770)
NPG D32507

Margaret Gainsborough (née Burr), by James Scott, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D34263

Margaret Gainsborough (née Burr)

by James Scott, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868 (circa 1779)
NPG D34263

Margaret Gainsborough (née Burr), by James Scott, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D34264

Margaret Gainsborough (née Burr)

by James Scott, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868 (circa 1779)
NPG D34264

Penelope Ligonier (née Pitt), Viscountess Ligonier, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D37336

Penelope Ligonier (née Pitt), Viscountess Ligonier

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D37336

Welbore Ellis, 1st Baron Mendip, by Charles Algernon Tomkins, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D38368

Welbore Ellis, 1st Baron Mendip

by Charles Algernon Tomkins, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D38368

David Middleton, by George Sanders, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D38403

David Middleton

by George Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D38403

Sir Henry Bate Dudley, 1st Bt, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1805

Sir Henry Bate Dudley, 1st Bt

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D1805

Sir Henry Bate Dudley, 1st Bt, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1806

Sir Henry Bate Dudley, 1st Bt

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D1806

Mary (née White), Lady Dudley, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1807

Mary (née White), Lady Dudley

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D1807

David Middleton, by George Sanders, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D14221

David Middleton

by George Sanders, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D14221

Sir Henry Bate Dudley, 1st Bt, by James Scott, published by  Henry Graves, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D14633

Sir Henry Bate Dudley, 1st Bt

by James Scott, published by Henry Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1868
NPG D14633

Thomas Pennant, by Charles Algernon Tomkins, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D3865

Thomas Pennant

by Charles Algernon Tomkins, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1869
NPG D3865

Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch, by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D896

Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1869
NPG D896

Mary Montagu, Duchess of Montagu, by James Scott, published by  Henry Graves, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D14324

Mary Montagu, Duchess of Montagu

by James Scott, published by Henry Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1869
NPG D14324

Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl of Chesterfield, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D33067

Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl of Chesterfield

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D33067

Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl of Chesterfield, by James Scott, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D33068

Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl of Chesterfield

by James Scott, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D33068

Francis Basset, Baron de Dunstanville and Baron Basset, by George H. Every, after  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D34843

Francis Basset, Baron de Dunstanville and Baron Basset

by George H. Every, after Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D34843

Frances Basset (née Coxe), Lady de Dunstanville, by George H. Every, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D34844

Frances Basset (née Coxe), Lady de Dunstanville

by George H. Every, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D34844

Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster, incorrectly engraved as Richard, 1st Earl Grosvenor, by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D34990

Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster, incorrectly engraved as Richard, 1st Earl Grosvenor

by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870 (1785-1788)
NPG D34990

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire, by Robert Graves, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D35169

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire

by Robert Graves, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
line engraving, published 24 February 1870 (1785-1788)
NPG D35169

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire, published by Excelsior Fine Art Association, with permission of  Henry Graves & Co, after  Robert Graves, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D35170

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire

published by Excelsior Fine Art Association, with permission of Henry Graves & Co, after Robert Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
chromolithograph, originally published 24 February 1870 (1785-1788)
NPG D35170

Dorothea (née Johnson), Lady Eden, by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D36071

Dorothea (née Johnson), Lady Eden

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D36071

Richard Hurd, by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D36410

Richard Hurd

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, late 19th century (circa 1783)
NPG D36410

Richard Hurd, after Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D36411

Richard Hurd

after Thomas Gainsborough
photogravure, late 19th century (circa 1783)
NPG D36411

Lord Robert Manners, by Arthur N. Sanders, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D39957

Lord Robert Manners

by Arthur N. Sanders, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D39957

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble), by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D41675

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble)

by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870 (1785)
NPG D41675

Miss Sparrow, by George H. Every, published by  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D41993

Miss Sparrow

by George H. Every, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870 (late 1770s)
NPG D41993

Francis Basset, Baron de Dunstanville and Baron Basset, by George H. Every, after  Henry Graves & Co, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1733

Francis Basset, Baron de Dunstanville and Baron Basset

by George H. Every, after Henry Graves & Co, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D1733

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire, by Robert Bowyer Parkes, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1755

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire

by Robert Bowyer Parkes, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D1755

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire, by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1756

Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire

by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D1756

Isabella (née Raymond), Countess of Dundonald, by William Henry Simmons, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1808

Isabella (née Raymond), Countess of Dundonald

by William Henry Simmons, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D1808

Dorothea (née Johnson), Lady Eden, by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1844

Dorothea (née Johnson), Lady Eden

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D1844

Dorothea (née Johnson), Lady Eden, by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D1845

Dorothea (née Johnson), Lady Eden

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D1845

Mary Graham (née Cathcart), by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D2471

Mary Graham (née Cathcart)

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D2471

Mary Graham (née Cathcart), by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D2472

Mary Graham (née Cathcart)

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D2472

Miss Sparrow, by George H. Every, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D4278

Miss Sparrow

by George H. Every, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870 (late 1770s)
NPG D4278

William Almack, by Richard Josey, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D7342

William Almack

by Richard Josey, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, 1870s
NPG D7342

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble), by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, published by  Henry Graves, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D14661

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble)

by Thomas Lewis Atkinson, published by Henry Graves, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 1870
NPG D14661

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