Thomas Gainsborough’s “Carelessness”: Portraiture, Technique and Individuality
This article delves into Thomas Gainsborough’s distinctive painting style, characterised by fluid, expressive brushwork, and how it was perceived by his contemporaries as a form of “carelessness.” By revealing the mechanics of his craft, Gainsborough simultaneously inscribed his work within the pres...
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| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/interfaces, |
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| Autor Principal: | |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
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Interfaces
2024
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| Acceso en liña: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Résumé: | This article delves into Thomas Gainsborough’s distinctive painting style, characterised by fluid, expressive brushwork, and how it was perceived by his contemporaries as a form of “carelessness.” By revealing the mechanics of his craft, Gainsborough simultaneously inscribed his work within the prestigious lineage of the Old Masters, while also redefining the concepts of portraiture and identity. The article explores the historical lineage of his technique, noting that Gainsborough’s “odd scratches,” as described by Joshua Reynolds, are reminiscent of a painting tradition identified by the art historian Nicola Suthor as “bravura.” Yet it also addresses a specific cultural context by discussing the perceived femininity of Gainsborough’s style and its significant role in shaping the evolving concept of individuality during the late 18th century. The article argues that Gainsborough’s deliberate “studied carelessness” contributed to the new regime of individuality prevalent in the age of sensibility. Furthermore, it examines the influence of Gainsborough’s technique in shaping a national art school in Britain and his impact on late Victorian artists, emphasising the dual nature of his style as both an expression of individual genius and a reflection of broader trends in British art. |
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