Gainsborough is considered one of the most important British artists of the second half of the eighteenth century. In 1774, having established himself as a fashionable portrait painter, he moved to London from Suffolk and set up his studio at Schomberg House, Pall Mall. Despite his success as a portraitist he always maintained that he preferred painting landscapes. Gainsberough was a founding member of the Royal Academy in 1768 and first exhibited there the following year.

After quarrelling with the Academy on several occasions over the hanging of his pictures, he began organising a series of exhibitions in his studio at Schomberg House.

Provenance: Purchased with grant aid from the Heritage Lettery Fund, Resource/Victoria & Albent Museum Purchase Fund, and the Friends of the Laing Art Gallery, 2003

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil and canvas
Artist: Thomas Gainsborough RA FRSA (727-1788)
Date: 1750-53

Image Details
Date: 26 August 2023
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Telephoto Camera 52mm ƒ/2.4
Focal Length: 52mm
Aperture: ƒ/2.4
Shutter Speed: 1/37s
ISO: 500
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.