Master John Heathcote

1759–1774

Bath: Van Dyck and Rubens in the houses of the local aristocracy

Of great importance to Gainsborough is his acquaintance with paintings by Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens owned by local aristocrats; he copies some of them. The study of the old masters is linked to the appearance in his landscapes of luminous distances that he had not been able to achieve before.

1760s

“Sick of portraits”

In a letter to a friend Gainsborough confesses that he is sick of portraits and longs to take his viola da gamba and walk off to some quiet village to paint landscapes. He has little regard for his gentleman patrons, whose only part worth looking at, he says, is their purse; by now he owns five viols — three by Henry Jaye and two by Barak Norman.

1773

Stops exhibiting at the Academy

From 1769 Gainsborough submits works to the Royal Academy's annual exhibitions, but his relationship with the Academy is not an easy one, and in 1773 he stops exhibiting.

1774

The move to London: Schomberg House

In 1774 Gainsborough and his family move to London, to live in Schomberg House on Pall Mall.

1774–1788

The rivalry with Reynolds

In London Gainsborough sets up his studio next to Christie's auction rooms, which he often visits. His London years are marked by rivalry with Joshua Reynolds, president of the Royal Academy.