Portrait of Ann Ford (later Mrs. Thicknesse) - Thomas Gainsborough
Archival giclée
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Description
A portrait of the musician Ann Ford by Thomas Gainsborough, capturing the sitter with her instruments in a relaxed, painterly style.
Thomas Gainsborough painted this portrait of Ann Ford in 1760. It depicts the musician and socialite in a relaxed, informal pose. She sits with a guitar in her lap, while a viola da gamba rests against the wall behind her. The composition reflects the artist's interest in the intersection of portraiture and musical performance, a common theme in his work during this period.
The subject wears a white silk dress, rendered with loose, fluid brushwork that captures the sheen of the fabric. The background consists of deep, warm tones, which contrast with the lighter palette of the sitter's attire. Gainsborough uses a soft, atmospheric quality to define the space, avoiding rigid lines in favour of a more painterly approach. The inclusion of musical instruments suggests the sitter's accomplishments and personal interests, moving away from the more formal, static poses typical of eighteenth-century portraiture.
Ann Ford was a notable figure in London society, known for her public concerts and independent spirit. This painting captures her at a time when she was defying social conventions regarding the role of women in the arts. The work remains a clear example of Gainsborough's ability to combine technical skill with a sense of character. His handling of light and texture creates a sense of immediacy, drawing the viewer into the private sphere of the subject. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Portrait of Ann Ford (later Mrs. Thicknesse) - Thomas Gainsborough
Artist Biography
Thomas Gainsborough
He was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, in 1727. His father went bankrupt in 1733. He moved to London as a teenager and trained under the French engraver Hubert-Francois Gravelot. By his thirties he was one of the two dominant portrait painters in Georgian England, the other being Joshua Reynolds. The rivalry with Reynolds defined both their careers.
The Blue Boy is probably his most famous painting, though he would have preferred to be remembered for his landscapes. On his deathbed he reconciled with Reynolds. Reynolds later wrote that the Royal Academy had lost one of its greatest ornaments. Gainsborough died in 1788, aged sixty-one.
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