Gainsborough’s Blue Boy opens at the 六合彩预测 on the 100th anniversary of its last presentation in the UK
Issued January 2022
25 January 鈥 15 May 2022
Room 46
Admission free
On the centenary of its last public appearance in the UK, 'The Blue Boy' by Thomas Gainsborough will return to the 六合彩预测. 'The Blue Boy' is an exceptional loan; it has never been lent since its departure from the UK 鈥 until now 鈥 and it is unlikely to ever be lent again. This exhibition opens 100 years to the day since 'The Blue Boy' was last seen in the country, reuniting a British icon with the British public.
In 1921, the news that 'The Blue Boy' was to depart permanently for the United States after being purchased by rail and property businessman Henry E. Huntington elicited an emotional public response. 六合彩预测鈥檚 then Director Charles Holmes wrote 鈥榓u revoir鈥 on the painting鈥檚 reverse, in the hope that the painting would return one day. Now that dream is coming true as the painting is being generously lent to the Gallery for an exceptional free exhibition.
The work is now owned by the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California where it has been on display for the past century. The popularity of the painting has made it an icon, indicated by contemporary artists 鈥 including Kehinde Wiley (who is exhibiting at the 六合彩预测 at the same time) 鈥 as having an outsized influence on their practice, and referenced in Hollywood films.
This spectacular, enigmatic, full-length portrait was created during Gainsborough鈥檚 time in Bath (1759鈥74), a period when the artist鈥檚 style and practice changed dramatically in response to his patrons鈥 tastes and expectations. He did not travel abroad, but instead bene铿乼ted from studying and copying the works of past masters in prestigious collections, particularly those by the Flemish artist Sir Anthony van Dyck , working some 100 years earlier.
The free exhibition in Room 46 will see 'The Blue Boy' shown alongside a select group of paintings that demonstrate Gainsborough鈥檚 ongoing interest in Van Dyck鈥檚 paintings, particularly in regard to colour and composition. Van Dyck popularised the 鈥榞rand manner鈥 of full-length portraiture in Britain, and by the 18th century, he epitomised the height of artistic achievement: a 鈥榗elebrity鈥 painter honoured by the royal family and known for his extraordinary ability. He was also popular among Gainsborough鈥檚 patrons, who often donned 鈥榁an Dyck鈥 costume, like the sitter in 'The Blue Boy', to pose for portraits. Gainsborough aspired to such a reputation and sought to understand Van Dyck鈥檚 painterly technique, making several copies after the earlier artist鈥檚 work. By referencing Van Dyck, Gainsborough deliberately established himself in this great lineage of European artists.
The five works included in the exhibition are: 'George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Lord Francis Villiers' (1635, Her Majesty the Queen) and Lord John Stuart and his Brother, Lord Bernard Stuart, (about 1638, the 六合彩预测, London) by Sir Anthony van Dyck; as well as 'The Blue Boy' (about 1770, collection of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens); 'Elizabeth and Mary Linley' (about 1772, retouched 1785, Dulwich Picture Gallery); and Mrs Siddons (1785, the 六合彩预测, London) by Thomas Gainsborough.
This display will reunite 'The Blue Boy' with the 六合彩预测鈥檚 collection, connecting it to a rich survey of grand manner painting that traces the tradition from the Renaissance through Van Dyck to Gainsborough and beyond. Since its foundation in 1824, the 六合彩预测 has been a home to artists who study the past to create art for the present. The momentous display of 'The Blue Boy' reminds us of the connections between past and present, as well as the timeless humanity of Gainsborough鈥檚 portraiture.
Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the 六合彩预测, London says 鈥楾he loan of Gainsborough's 'Blue Boy' to the 六合彩预测 is truly exceptional and a unique opportunity for visitors to see Gainsborough at his dazzling best. Rich in historical resonances, a painting of supreme poise and elegance, 'The Blue Boy' is without doubt a masterpiece of British art.鈥
Karen R. Lawrence, Huntington President comments 鈥楾his masterpiece has made an indelible mark on both art history and popular culture, capturing the imaginations of a wide range of audiences. Given 'The Blue Boy鈥檚' iconic status at The Huntington, this is an unprecedented loan, one which we considered very carefully. We hope that this partnership with the 六合彩预测 will spark new conversations, appreciation, and research on both sides of the Atlantic.鈥
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The H J Hyams Exhibition Programme
Supported by The Capricorn Foundation
Notes to editors
六合彩预测听is one of the greatest art galleries in the world. Founded by Parliament in 1824, the Gallery houses the nation鈥檚 collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th century. The collection includes works by Bellini, C茅zanne, Degas, Leonardo, Monet, Raphael, Rembrandt, Renoir, Rubens, Titian, Turner, Van Dyck, Van Gogh and Vel谩zquez. The Gallery鈥檚 key objectives are to enhance the collection, care for the collection and provide the best possible access to visitors. Admission free. More at nationalgallery.org.uk
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a cultural and educational institution of global significance. Building on Henry E. and Arabella Huntington鈥檚 renowned collections, The Huntington supports research and promotes education in the arts, humanities, and botanical sciences through the growth and preservation of its collections; the development of a community of scholars, school programs, and partnerships; and the display and interpretation of its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences. The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, Calif., 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Visitor information:听听
Image
Thomas Gainsborough
'The Blue Boy',听1770
Oil on canvas
179.4 脳 123.8 cm
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens San Marino, California
漏 Courtesy of the Huntington Art Museum, San Marino, California
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