Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1981.25.295
Gallery Label:
This Arcadian view belongs to a group of major landscape paintings that Thomas Gainsborough made during his period of residence in Bath (another is shown on the fourth floor). In these, Gainsborough was evoking the ideal landscapes of old master painters such as Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Poussin, artists whose work was eagerly sought by British collectors. The rich variety of the painting, from the evocative elements of the landscape to the handling of paint, were intended to draw the viewer into the scene and confirm Gainsborough’s belief that a painting must have “a variety of lively touches and surprising effects to make the heart dance.” It is likely to have been one of the pictures that remained with Gainsborough until his death. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2016
