Most art lovers know Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) for his magnificent portraits and landscapes. Besides the visual, his words express his artistic credo and his enthusiasm for beauty and nature. In this post we cover the top 5 most famous Thomas Gainsborough quotes to learn more about his genius, as well as to inspire artists today.
These quotes show Gainsborough’s deep connection to nature and artistic fascination, emphasizing through them the role of passion, imagination, and scholarship in painting. Those words echo for anyone trying to grasp the soul of an artist.
1. “We love a genius for what he leaves and mourn him for what he takes away.”
— Thomas Gainsborough
2. “I wish you would recollect that Painting and Punctuality mix like Oil and Vinegar, and that Genius and regularity are utter Enemies and must be to the end of time.”
— Thomas Gainsborough
3. “Many a real genius is lost in the fictitious character of the Gentleman. I am the most inconsistent, changeable being so full of fits and starts.”
— Thomas Gainsborough
4. “Fools talk of imitation and copying, all is imitation.”
— Thomas Gainsborough
Francisco Goya also said, “The sleep of reason produces monsters,” emphasizing artists to pursue their art and to enjoy solitude to express from nature. His legacy serves as a reminder that it’s all about authenticity and love for the art.
Quotes by Thomas Gainsborough speak to his passion for his art and for the beauty of nature. They are inspirations for artists and art lovers alike, to seek out the beauty in the simple and to trust our creative instincts.
Who was Thomas Gainsborough?
Thomas Gainsborough was an English painter who worked in the 1700s and was best known for his portraiture and landscape paintings.
What is Gainsborough’s philosophy of art?
He believed many things, with a love for nature, simplicity, and creating art that struck the heart as central to his philosophy.
Where can I see Gainsborough’s work?
Gainsborough’s great works are housed in famous museums such as The National Gallery in London and the Huntington Library in California.
Aaron Cohen is an American journalist, author, and human rights activist. She has published in… Read More
Aaron Carter (1987–2022) was an American singer, actor, and dancer who gained fame in the… Read More
A. E. Coppard (January 4, 1878 – January 13, 1957) was an English writer celebrated… Read More
A. E. Hotchner, born on June 28, 1920, was an American author, playwright, and editor… Read More
Born on March 26, 1859, in Fockbury, Worcestershire, England, Alfred Edward Housman was the oldest… Read More
Aaron Bruno, born on November 11, 1978, is an American musician, songwriter, and producer, best… Read More