Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture

Thomas Gainsborough, a key figure of the British School comparable to Sargent, created hundreds of portraits that capture the social dynamics of the 18th century, using portraiture as a tool to reinforce or challenge social norms. The book examines how fashion and dress reflected status—from dukes to Ignatius Sancho, a former slave—with detailed entries on 25 works in the exhibition, showcasing stylistic updates and historical interpretations. His popularity was revived a century after his death among American collectors such as Frick and Vanderbilt, and he is essential to understanding 18th-century art.