Framed Oil Painting: The Byam Family by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), oil on canvas, c.1762-66. On long-term loan from the Andrew Brownsword Arts Foundation.
Key information
Museum number
L2001.1
Object
Framed Oil Painting: The Byam Family by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), oil on canvas, c.1762-66. On long-term loan from the Andrew Brownsword Arts Foundation.
Gallery label
The Byam Family
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
Oil on canvas, 1762–66
One of the most ambitious paintings made during Gainsborough’s sixteen years in Bath, this portrait originally showed George Byam (1734–1779) and his wife, Louisa Bathurst (d.1779) strolling in a poetic landscape, demonstrating their sensibility as admirers of nature. A few years later, the Byams returned to Bath and Gainsborough added the image of their first child Selina (1760–1846), changing the colour of Louisa’s gown at the same time.
George was a third-generation plantation owner in Antigua, where his grandfather had been governor. Louisa came from an affluent Gloucestershire family who also benefitted from slave labour via her grandfather’s involvement in the Royal Africa Company and the East India Company. While Louisa ended up living in Surrey, George returned to Antigua and died there aged forty-five.
L2001.1 On long-term loan from the Andrew Brownsword Arts Foundation
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
Oil on canvas, 1762–66
One of the most ambitious paintings made during Gainsborough’s sixteen years in Bath, this portrait originally showed George Byam (1734–1779) and his wife, Louisa Bathurst (d.1779) strolling in a poetic landscape, demonstrating their sensibility as admirers of nature. A few years later, the Byams returned to Bath and Gainsborough added the image of their first child Selina (1760–1846), changing the colour of Louisa’s gown at the same time.
George was a third-generation plantation owner in Antigua, where his grandfather had been governor. Louisa came from an affluent Gloucestershire family who also benefitted from slave labour via her grandfather’s involvement in the Royal Africa Company and the East India Company. While Louisa ended up living in Surrey, George returned to Antigua and died there aged forty-five.
L2001.1 On long-term loan from the Andrew Brownsword Arts Foundation
On display?
Yes
