Portrait of Margaret Gainsborough
- Artist: Thomas Gainsborough
- Date: c. 1778
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Portrait of Margaret Gainsborough” by Thomas Gainsborough. It dates to about 1778 and is an oil on canvas that captures his wife at a pivotal moment—she was turning 50. Gainsborough had painted Margaret several times over their marriage, but this particular likeness is notable for her direct, unflinching gaze. At a time when sitters typically looked away or posed in a more reserved manner, her eyes look straight at you, suggesting a private intimacy that only the artist and spouse could share.
Beyond the personal, the portrait also functions as a kind of advertising piece. In the 18th‑century art world, a striking portrait could attract potential clients, and this work would have been displayed in Gainsborough’s studio—both a testament to his skill and a visual brochure for those who might wish to commission a portrait of their own. Viewers entering his home could immediately compare this image of Margaret to other commissions and see the depth of his talent.
So, when you look at the canvas, notice the subtle play of light on her face, the elegant drapery, and the way the composition invites you into a quiet conversation between artist, sitter, and observer.
See it in person
Portrait of Margaret Gainsborough hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
