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Sir Edward Turner, 2nd Bt of Ambrosden, Oxford (1719–1766)
Thomas Gainsborough·1762
Historical Context
Thomas Gainsborough painted Sir Edward Turner around 1762, during his Bath period when he was establishing himself as the most fashionable portraitist available to the aristocracy and gentry who gathered at the resort city. Turner was a Worcestershire baronet whose commission gave Gainsborough the opportunity to work in the three-quarter length format that was becoming his signature contribution to the British portrait tradition. The informal ease of the pose, the atmospheric landscape visible behind the figure, and the luminous handling of the costume all demonstrate the qualities that made his Bath portraits so sought after by the period's most fashionable sitters.
Technical Analysis
Gainsborough presents the baronet with the natural dignity and warm coloring of his developing mature style. The landscape background and the fluid handling of the sitter's costume show the artist moving toward the atmospheric approach of his best work.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the natural dignity Gainsborough brings to the baronet: the figure has authority without stiffness, a quality harder to achieve than it looks.
- ◆Look at the warm coloring and developing fluid handling: this Bath period portrait shows Gainsborough midway between his precise early manner and the full atmospheric style of later years.
- ◆Observe the landscape background: it is more specifically observed than his later generalized backdrops, suggesting Gainsborough was still in dialogue with the actual landscape.
- ◆Find the treatment of the hands: by his Bath period Gainsborough's ability to render hands expressively was fully developed, and they add character without calling undue attention.
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