Thomas Gainsborough (Born 1727) was born in Suffolk, England. He showed an early talent for drawing which his father encouraged him to pursue. Due to his mother's encouragement of his talent with pencil and her penchant for painting flowers, Gainsborough assembled an impressive portfolio at a young age. In fact by age 10, he had drawn some local village landscapes, and added facial studies and other caricatures. Gainsborough’s father was so impressed with his work and allowed him to go to London, England, where he joined an academy in St. Martin's Lane and studied under the renowned masters including William Hogarth known for historical painting, portraiture and etching. He seriously pursued art and became of the best English painters of the 18th century. He’s known for his landscapes and evocative portraiture. Gainsborough was baptized in 1727 in Sudbury, England.
His art was influenced by famous painters such as van Dyck and Hogarth. At the beginning, he favored landscapes and became a master of light and brushwork. He later shifted his focus to portraiture for income and his talent attracted many nobles including the likes of King George III. This made him a contender for the position of a royal painter. Although King George III did not appoint him as the official court painter, the artist remained the favorite of the royal family. Gainsborough was elected a founding member of the Royal Academy, so he moved his studio to London. His most recognizable painting today is a portrait titled “The Blue Boy” - the portrait of the son of a wealthy merchant.
