Thomas Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) was a prominent English portrait and landscape painter of the 18th century. Born in Sudbury, Suffolk, he moved to London at the age of 13 to study art. He soon gained recognition for his portraits, which captured the elegance and refinement of his aristocratic sitters, and he became a favored painter of the royal family. Gainsborough was also known for his landscapes, which often included idyllic pastoral scenes and picturesque cottages. He was a founder member of the Royal Academy in 1768, but eventually grew disillusioned with the institution and its formal approach to art. Throughout his career, Gainsborough was noted for his skillful use of light and color, and his ability to capture the subtleties of his subjects' personalities. His works are considered some of the finest examples of 18th-century English art.