Thomas Gainsborough's Daughters: His Favorite Models
Thomas Gainsborough, the 18th-century British portrait and landscape painter, had a close relationship with his daughters Mary and Margaret, whom he frequently painted. Despite his hopes that they would become landscape painters, neither pursued an artistic career. Instead, they became his favorite models, appearing in numerous works such as 'The Painter’s Daughters Chasing a Butterfly' (1755–1756) and 'The Artist’s Daughters with a Cat' (1759–1761). The sisters remained close throughout their lives, living together except during Mary's brief unhappy marriage. Their individual portraits are held at Tate Britain in London.
Key facts
- Thomas Gainsborough painted his daughters Mary and Margaret many times.
- He hoped they would become landscape painters, but they were not interested.
- The first known painting of them is 'The Painter’s Daughters Chasing a Butterfly' (c. 1755–1756).
- In 'The Artist’s Daughters with a Cat' (1759–1761), only the girls' faces are fully realized.
- Mary and Margaret were genuinely close and lived together except during Mary's marriage.
- Their individual portraits are at Tate Britain in London.
- Gainsborough is known for portraits of aristocrats like The Blue Boy, but preferred landscapes.
- The girls are easy to recognize due to family resemblance seen in Gainsborough's self-portrait.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Gainsborough
- Mary Gainsborough
- Margaret Gainsborough
Institutions
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- National Gallery of Art, London
- National Gallery, London
- National Portrait Gallery, London
- Worcester Art Museum
- Tate Britain
Locations
- London, UK
- Worcester, MA, USA