Thomas Gainsborough

In his last years Gainsborough painted relatively simple landscapes and is credited (with Richard Wilson) as the originator of the 18th century British landscape school. The poetic sensibility of his paintings caused Constable to say "On looking at them we find tears in our eyes and know not what brings them. Thomas Gainsborough FRSA (christened 14 May 1727 – 2 August 1788) was an English portrait and landscape painter.

He preferred landscapes to portraits. He painted quickly and his later pictures are characterised by a light palette and easy strokes. In his last years Gainsborough painted relatively simple landscapes and is credited (with Richard Wilson) as the originator of the 18th century British landscape school.