Thomas Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) was one of the leading British artists of the 18th century. Best known for his portraits, the painter received commissions from across British high society, including paintings for the royal family. Yet Gainsborough's personal passion was landscape scenes, which he continued to produce throughout his career desipte their lack of financial viability. Although inspired by both Van Dyck and Rubens, Gainsborough developed a personal style for his portraits that eschewed the academy in favor of a more free-flowing approach to depicting his sitters.