Mr and Mrs Andrews
- Artist: Thomas Gainsborough
- Date: about 1750
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is "Mr and Mrs Andrews" by Thomas Gainsborough. Painted in about 1750, it's a masterpiece of Gainsborough's early career. You'll notice that the painting is often referred to as a 'triple portrait' - not just of Robert and Frances Andrews, but also of their land.
The background shows a wide view looking south over the valley of the River Stour, which was part of Robert Andrews' estate. Gainsborough was skilled at capturing convincingly changing weather and naturalistic scenery, which was still quite new at this time.
Robert Andrews is portrayed in his shooting jacket with his shotgun under his arm and his dog by his side. His wife, Frances, is sitting bolt upright in a pale blue informal skirt and jacket, wearing backless mules more suited to pottering about the house. The bench she's sitting on might be imaginary, as it predates the invention of cast iron.
The painting follows the fashionable convention of the conversation piece, showing two or more people outdoors. But what makes this painting unique is its emphasis on the landscape, which allowed Gainsborough to showcase his skills in naturalistic scenery and changing weather.
See it in person
Mr and Mrs Andrews hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
