Portrait of David Garrick 1770

Thomas Gainsborough painted this portrait of David Garrick in oil on canvas in England. Garrick was an actor, playwright, theater manager, and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of theatrical practice throughout the 18th century. Gainsborough’s loose brushwork and use of light served to soften the sitter’s features, making him appear both intellectual and approachable, thus emphasizing the sitter’s status as a man of letters as well as a public figure. This artistic choice also speaks to the increasing desire among the upwardly mobile middle class for access to the arts. Garrick’s position as a public figure also influenced the way theater was perceived during this period. The theater was seen as a source of moral and civic education, as well as entertainment. This painting serves as a valuable source of information for historians interested in the history of theater, the history of art, and the history of social class in 18th-century England. The records of theatrical productions, personal letters, newspaper articles, and other archival materials can provide additional insights into the cultural context in which Gainsborough and Garrick lived and worked.