Who was Thomas Gainsborough?

   Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) was a famous English painter, was born at Sudbury, Suffolk. He was the son of a wool manufacturer, and when 15 years old, he studied in London with an engraver and teacher of drawing. Three years later, he began to paint portraits and soon won fame. When the Royal Academy was founded in 1768, he was made one of the origi­nal members. Although he painted landscapes also, most of his pictures were portraits. He painted George III eight times, and his sitters included some of the most famous people of the day. Among his celebrated pictures are the "Blue Boy," "Musidora," "Duchess of Devonshire," "Mrs. Siddons," and "The Market Cart."

Musidora by Thomas Gainsborough