Thomas GainsboroughBritish, 1727–1788Mrs. Sarah Siddons
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Mrs. Sarah Siddons” now? Collection: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Cleveland, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
Although Thomas Gainsborough produced about a thousand portraits in oil, the artist typically worked directly on the canvas rather than making preparatory drawings of his sitters. This study, so closely related to the artist’s finished painting of the famous actress Mrs. Sarah Siddons, is highly unusual. One scholar has hypothesized that because the portrait was not made on commission but conceived for an exhibition in his studio, Gainsborough may have had only a single sitting with the celebrated actress, and knew he would he would have to rely on the drawing as a basis for the finished work.
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Details
- Accession number
- 1976.6
In the catalog
Sources
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Image: The Cleveland Museum of Art — Museum open access
In the life of Thomas Gainsborough
The whole life1774–1788
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.
1783
The Lake District with his friend Sam Kilderbee
In 1783 Gainsborough travels with his friend Sam Kilderbee through the Lake District in north-west England.
1784
A quarrel with the Academy over the hanging
In 1784 Gainsborough is displeased with the way his pictures are hung at the Academy's exhibition and asks for them to be rehung lower; he is told that this goes against the general rule and harms the interests of other artists. He takes his pictures away and never again takes part in the Academy's exhibitions, holding exhibitions at his own house instead.
1784
The first private exhibition at Schomberg House
In 1784 Gainsborough holds his first private exhibition at Schomberg House. Among the works shown is the portrait of Frances Browne, Mrs John Douglas, reading a letter in a secluded, overgrown corner of a garden: the silvery violet tones of the clouds and the drapery tie the sitter to her surroundings.
1784
The court post goes to Reynolds
In 1784 Principal Painter in Ordinary Allan Ramsay dies and the King is obliged to give the post to Gainsborough's rival, Academy president Joshua Reynolds; Gainsborough nevertheless remains the royal family's favourite painter.
