Artwork
John Hobart (1723–1793), 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire
John Hobart (1723–1793), 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Gainsborough. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the European Paintings.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition focuses on the depiction of the male subject, adhering to the conventions of eighteenth-century portraiture found in Gainsborough's oeuvre.
Executed in 1767 by Thomas Gainsborough, this portrait of John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures approximately 74.9 by 62.9 centimeters. As a formal portrait, the piece utilizes oil paint as its primary medium, applied to a woven canvas support.
The composition focuses on the depiction of the male subject, adhering to the conventions of eighteenth-century portraiture found in Gainsborough's oeuvre. The artwork is currently held in the European Paintings collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The portrait of John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, was created by Thomas Gainsborough in 1767. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures approximately 74.9 cm in height and 62.9 cm in width. The specific details regarding the original commission or the identity of the initial patron are not recorded in the available documentation.
The artwork is housed within the European Paintings department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Context
The 1767 portrait of John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, exemplifies Thomas Gainsborough's mature portraiture and his engagement with elite British society. Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects the sitter's status within the aristocracy and Gainsborough's role in elevating portraiture as a genre. Modern scholarship situates it within Gainsborough's broader exploration of identity and patronage in mid-eighteenth-century Britain. The portrait remains in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Legacy
The 1767 portrait of the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire by Thomas Gainsborough, held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Paintings collection, exemplifies the artist's mastery of aristocratic representation. Its presence in a leading museum highlights its enduring reputation as a model of 18th-century British portraiture, informing later studies of status and likeness.
Overview
Thomas Gainsborough completed this oil portrait of John Hobart, the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, in 1767. The work captures a prominent figure of the British aristocracy and is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. It exemplifies Gainsborough's skill in depicting individuals while contributing to the broader artistic trends of his era.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents John Hobart in a distinguished manner, wearing a dark blue military coat adorned with gold buttons. A striking red sash with white lace drapes over his shoulder, complementing his meticulously styled white wig. The artist employs a dark, unadorned background, ensuring the viewer's attention remains fixed on the Earl's countenance and formal attire, conveying his status.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Gainsborough (; 14 May 1727 (baptised) – 2 August 1788) was an English painter, draughtsman and printmaker who specialised in portrait and landscape painting.
