Thomas Gainsborough

Question 1

Cornard Wood

Answer 1

1746-8 in England

• The painting is composed from different sketches and was made into one imaginary piece
• Currently in the National Gallery of London
• The piece conveys a typical forest scene to the southeast of Sudbury, London
• The Church of St. Andrew’s in Great Cornard can be seen way in the back

Question 2

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews

Answer 2

1750 in England

• The patron of the piece was the couple within, Robert and Frances Andrews
• In England, this piece is known as a conversation painting
• The purpose of the painting was to commemorate the couple’s marriage
• Currently in the National Gallery of London
• The couple also owned the landscape of the painting

Question 3

The Blue Boy

Answer 3

1770 in England

• The painting and figure is life-sized
• Currently in the Huntington Library and Art Gallery of San Marino, California
• Painted while Thomas was visiting Bath, a major tourist town in England
• It is Gainsborough’s first attempt at painting full length Anthony Van Dyck dress

Question 4

Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Answer 4

1785-87 in England

• Painted in the last phase of Gainsborough’s career
• Currently in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC
• The sitter is Elizabeth Ann Linley, daughter of a Bath music teacher
• Has the tradition of the Venetian landscape in which the right side is closed and the left side is more open
• Elizabeth is 31 at the time of the painting