DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6915#0147
THE COTTAGE DOOR,
A LANDSCAPES
-
THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH, ESQ. R.A.
IN THE GALLERY OF
The author of this picture was unquestionably a man of genius and talent: his
best paintings, in portrait and landscape, will fully justify this assertion. Those
of the latter class plainly indicate that he sought for originality in the right
place, by sedulously studying nature. Indeed he may be appositely denominated
' the pupil of nature :' for she was his first, his best, and chief preceptor. If ever
a human being was born with original, or natural genius,----an innate propensity
to a particular art,----it was Thomas Gainsborough; for without instruction, or
any excitement from associations, (at least we do not hear of such,) he became
an artist in infancy. When a child, it is related, that he manifested a predi-
lection for picturesque scenery, by sketching a group of trees the first time he
handled a pencil. Fascinated with the effect of this juvenile essay, he prosecuted
his studies with unwearied perseverance, and obtained great facility in the art
of sketching from nature. Cattle, groups of rustic figures, rocks, and trees,
were the chief objects of his imitation ; because these were the only models or
lessons he had the advantage of seeing. Thus early associations make an
indelible, but imperceptible impression on the young mind ; and Gainsborough's
was as plastic as the art he ultimately pursued. He was born at Sudbury, in
Suffolk, in 1727. About the age of twelve he visited London, where he obtained
some lessons from Gravelot, an engraver, and from F. Hay man. During his stay
in the metropolis he married, and then retired to Ipswich, where he rented a
2 b
A LANDSCAPES
-
THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH, ESQ. R.A.
IN THE GALLERY OF
The author of this picture was unquestionably a man of genius and talent: his
best paintings, in portrait and landscape, will fully justify this assertion. Those
of the latter class plainly indicate that he sought for originality in the right
place, by sedulously studying nature. Indeed he may be appositely denominated
' the pupil of nature :' for she was his first, his best, and chief preceptor. If ever
a human being was born with original, or natural genius,----an innate propensity
to a particular art,----it was Thomas Gainsborough; for without instruction, or
any excitement from associations, (at least we do not hear of such,) he became
an artist in infancy. When a child, it is related, that he manifested a predi-
lection for picturesque scenery, by sketching a group of trees the first time he
handled a pencil. Fascinated with the effect of this juvenile essay, he prosecuted
his studies with unwearied perseverance, and obtained great facility in the art
of sketching from nature. Cattle, groups of rustic figures, rocks, and trees,
were the chief objects of his imitation ; because these were the only models or
lessons he had the advantage of seeing. Thus early associations make an
indelible, but imperceptible impression on the young mind ; and Gainsborough's
was as plastic as the art he ultimately pursued. He was born at Sudbury, in
Suffolk, in 1727. About the age of twelve he visited London, where he obtained
some lessons from Gravelot, an engraver, and from F. Hay man. During his stay
in the metropolis he married, and then retired to Ipswich, where he rented a
2 b