Thomas Gainsborough Biography

Thomas Gainsborough was an 18th century English painter famous for his versatility. As an artist he initially gained fame for his technique of painting landscapes and became quite well-known for the manner in which he depicted light with his brushstrokes. Eventually he started painting portraits as he needed more income to provide for his family. He proved to be very talented at portraiture too and soon he began receiving commissions from the rich and the noble, including King George III himself. He completed many paintings for the king and was at one time considered to be a contender for the position of the royal painter. However, the king was obliged to select someone else to this position though Gainsborough remained the king’s favorite. Born to an artistically inclined mother who loved painting, Thomas too developed a love for the arts at a young age. His father, a weaver, supported and encouraged his son’s pursuits and sent him to study etching, painting and portraiture under the renowned William Hogarth. He soon embarked on a career as a professional artist and gained much appreciation for his landscapes. Another area of his interest was portraiture and he became a favorite of the royal family after painting the portraits of King George III and his queen. At the time of his death he was counted among the most distinguished portraitists of his era