Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) was an English portrait and landscape painter, draughtsman, and printmaker. Along with his rival Sir Joshua Reynolds he is considered one of the most important British artists of the second half of the 18th century. He painted quickly, and the works of his maturity are characterised by a light palette and easy strokes. Despite being a prolific portrait painter, Gainsborough gained greater satisfaction from his landscapes. He is credited (with Richard Wilson) as the originator of the 18th-century British landscape school. Gainsborough was a founding member of the Royal Academy.
The McEwan Gallery is pleased to have discovered this beautiful portrait which has not been seen since it appeared at a Christie's auction in 1892. 
It was not uncommon for newly married women to be painted twice, once for their husband and once for their father. Gainsborough was known to have painted portraits at the same time, using two easels side by side, and it could well be that this portrait was painted alongside the other previously known version which belongs in private hands. It is one of the last portraits that Gainsborough executed which further suggests that he painted them concurrently as commissions. 
The original frame is identical to those used by Gainsborough, with the typical crossed olives in the spandrels and beaded moulding on the inner and outer edges.