DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61291#0031
RETURN TO LONDON 19
gentlemen against their inclination, but will beg
the rest of his pictures back again.”
It is indeed to be regretted that so well
justified a protest should have met with the
response it did. The Council of the Academy,
instead of humouring the artist, actually took
him at his word, sending back to him without
apology all his pictures : thus closing their doors
to one of the greatest geniuses of the day.
Gainsborough accepted the rebuff in silence,
but he, of course, never again sent anything for
exhibition.
In spite of his reputation for unworldliness,
Gainsborough managed to keep his position at
Court, even whilst he was painting portraits of
the rebellious Prince of Wales, and immortalizing
him as the lover of Mrs. Robinson, generally
known as Perdita, and of Mrs. Fitzherbert,
whom the heir apparent is said to have actually
married. A Portrait Group painted by Gains-
borough of the Prince of Wales, Mrs. Fitzherbert,
Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Lord Radnor,
whom Walpole called a “simple old Phoebus,” is
a very significant proof of the lax morality of
the day. The Prince of Wales seems to have
been the only one of King George’s numerous
children whose portrait Gainsborough painted
gentlemen against their inclination, but will beg
the rest of his pictures back again.”
It is indeed to be regretted that so well
justified a protest should have met with the
response it did. The Council of the Academy,
instead of humouring the artist, actually took
him at his word, sending back to him without
apology all his pictures : thus closing their doors
to one of the greatest geniuses of the day.
Gainsborough accepted the rebuff in silence,
but he, of course, never again sent anything for
exhibition.
In spite of his reputation for unworldliness,
Gainsborough managed to keep his position at
Court, even whilst he was painting portraits of
the rebellious Prince of Wales, and immortalizing
him as the lover of Mrs. Robinson, generally
known as Perdita, and of Mrs. Fitzherbert,
whom the heir apparent is said to have actually
married. A Portrait Group painted by Gains-
borough of the Prince of Wales, Mrs. Fitzherbert,
Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Lord Radnor,
whom Walpole called a “simple old Phoebus,” is
a very significant proof of the lax morality of
the day. The Prince of Wales seems to have
been the only one of King George’s numerous
children whose portrait Gainsborough painted