Thomas Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) excelled in portraiture, especially of the female form. Painterly and sensuous, his feathery brushwork displays an unparalleled vitality and charm. After a brief period in London in the 1740s, Gainsborough permanently moved to the capital in 1774, primarily to set himself up as a rival to Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92). Mrs Siddons (1785), one of Gainsborough's best-known portraits, remained on display in his studio. It was said to be a reply to Reynolds' portrait of the same sitter as the Tragic Muse exhibited the previous year. Gainsborough's handling contrasts with the cool static regality of the grand manner, creating instead a much warmer informal study of the celebrated actress. Gainsborough deviates from the convention of representing actors on stage or in full costume. Instead, the sphinx-like Sarah Siddons is shown informally dressed in the latest fashions; Gainsborough reportedly advised her to buy a new hat for the occasion.

The 19th century French art historian Thore-Burger stated that Mrs Siddons surpassed all "allegorical portraits" in capturing the character and likeness of the subject: "The portrait is so original, so individual as a poetic expression of character, as a deliberate selection of pose, as bold colour and free handling, that it is like the work of no other painter".

This fine copy was painted by Sunler in 1905. The original by Gainsborough now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.