Gainsborough’s Family Album at the National Portrait Gallery, London, 22nd November 2018 until 3rd February 2019

Imagine you’re one of the greatest ever portrait painters. How would you preserve your legacy? This was the problem that confronted Thomas Gainsborough. Despite being father to two daughters whom he clearly adored, the best Gainsborough could hope for was that his daughters would marry well. such was the position of women in 18th century England. Instead he turned to his nephew, Gainsborough Dupont, who became in turn apprentice, studio assistant, collaborator, chief mourner, executor and artistic heir to the great man.

Gainsborough’s Family Album at the National Portrait Gallery, London, 22nd November 2018 to 3rd February 2019

Best known for his landscapes and formal portraits, Gainsborough also painted his extended family throughout his life, leaving around 50 portraits of his close relatives and distant cousins, his household staff and even the family pets. The good humour of these paintings will make you smile in recognition of the love of Gainsborough the husband and father, and smile at the sly humour with which he turned his eye on the rest of the motley crew who made up his family.