Thomas Gainsborough: Great Art Explained
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- My other channel, Great Books Explained here - / @greatbooksexplained371
Please consider supporting this channel on Patreon (and getting exclusive content), thanks! www.patreon.co...
or if you prefer a one-off donation - paypal.me/Grea...
Alternatively, every video has a "thanks" button under it- I appreciate it!
PLEASE NOTE: The word corn in British English denoted all cereal grains, including wheat, oats and barley, such as in the Corn Laws.
At first glance, Thomas Gainsborough's Mr and Mrs Andrews, looks like just another classic painting of the 18th century, celebrating the dynastic marriage of the upper classes in all their finery.
On closer inspection, two things stand out. One, is that Mrs Andrews has the most curious expression of contempt on her face. The other thing that stands out is the strange area in the middle of her lap which is unfinished. The rest of the painting is complete, so it makes it even more peculiar.
In a painting that is heaving with tension, it is almost certain that at some point Mr and Mrs Andrews were so unhappy with the painting, that they put a halt to the proceedings, and sent Gainsborough on his way.
The painting would then disappear and wouldn't be seen again for over 200 years. Why was this painting kept so secret for so long?
Subscribe and click the bell icon to be notified! www.youtube.co....
I would like to thank all my Patreon supporters, in particular Adriana Nemet, Alan Stewart, Alexander Velser, Alyssa Phillips, Anja Zeutschel, Bria Nicole Art, David Asabreu, Christa Sawyer, Eric Mann, Erique K, Griffin Evans, Hugo Moita, Jemma Theivendran, Julio Cardenas, Karim Hopper, Kibibi Shaw, Louise Tait, Monte St Johns, New Curiosity, Paul Ark, Paul Waterman, Pavel Juszczyk, Sean Welgemoed, Stephen Beresford, Tanya Moore, Theresa Garfink, Toni Ko, Tyler Wittreich and Will Dew's-Power.
"What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter
SUBTITLES
I input the English subtitles myself but I rely on volunteers to do subtitles for other languages and I really appreciate it - just contact me at jamespayne33@hotmail.com
Spanish Subtitles by Alma Perdamo
CREDITS
Opening Animation and Title Sequence by Brian Adsit (instagram .... and Behance www.behance.com/badsit88)
Sound Mix by Oscar Sidoff Rydelius (Thank you!)
All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel do not claim any right over them.
BOOKS, CATALOGUES AND ESSAYS
Thomas Gainsborough : A Country Life by Hugh Belsey
Gainsborough: World of Art Series by William Vaughan
Gainsborough: A Portrait by Hamilton and James
Thomas Gainsborough by Sir Walter Armstrong
Ways of Seeing by John Berger
MUSIC
Vaughn William's Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor
VIDEO CLIPS
Chelsea Lang (Brilliant channel!) - • How to Paint a Master ...
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Please "like" and leave a comment. It REALLY helps with promoting the channel - I appreciate it. Hope you enjoy. James
Great Art Explained: Thomas Gainsborough 0036am 9.9.23 did you create a Blakean skit? i wondered. as he needs to be put to bed. i am sick of listening to folk harp on about Blake.... though being compared to a scrotal bag is, perhaps, something Mr b would impart to the limp wristed limp phallus laden nouveau riche... are we interested in the blots and blurs of the larded artistes of the past? it seems so...
@@JJONNYREPP What on earth are you talking about?
@@SoleaGalilei Comments on ‘Thomas Gainsborough: Great Art Explained’ 2111pm 27.9.23 obviously not great art.
This channel takes paintings that I wouldn't look at twice in a museum and has me binging videos about them for hours. If every gallery had Great Art Explained level commentary it would change the art world!
Wow, thank you!
Exactly what i wanted to write, i adore this channel!
what a thoughtful and well written complement, I could not agree more
Totally agree
I’ve actually been to a museum, the Albertina in Vienna (Austria), that had a separate screening room within a Basquiat exibition, showing the Great Art Explained video about basquiat!
¡Gracias!
Please, please, please… Could you make a video about how you conduct your research?? 🙏🙏🙏
It’s no secret: I read a LOT and go see the painting or if not possible, I study a High-res image. For this one, I read 3 books about Gainsborough (all in video notes), as well as some articles about the period. I also went to academic websites. I went to his house and museum several times and I went to the national gallery in London several times. I also got in contact with the person who owns the land now which gave me better insight. I try not to watch too many videos as I don’t want to be too influenced. Thanks 🙏
Thanks a million for replying! Fantastic content!!
Who let this man cook
Good stuff
Mr and Mrs Andrews looked down on Gainsborough as he painted their true identities on the canvas. They also thought Gainsborough's genius could be bought, hidden and discarded just as they believed they could own a farmland and be a master of many human beings. To their surprise, centuries later, we see them through Gainsborough's eyes. The triumph of art and genius over wealth and social class, once again. Thank you so much Mr. Payne. What a pleasure every time!
Love this comment!
Art is more associated with social class and wealth though
I can't overstate how wonderful this channel is, seeing such high quality but digestible content on great art is incredible!
Wow, thank you!
Mrs Andrews resembles Mr. Bean
Lmao now I can’t unsee it
😂
I'm constantly amazed by how oblivious I am to any and all subtext in paintings and would need an explanation video like this for literally anything I view. This was super interesting to watch. Thank you so much
Glad it was helpful!
Honestly, you can really tell that Gainsborough disliked portraiture and preferred landscapes. The people in his paintings are a bit boring and dull, while I find his backgrounds incredibly beautiful and much more vibrant than the subjects in front of them.
I agree
From what I've read, he disliked a lot of people in general. He was very scathing in his views of his clients.
Plus, as James points out, Gainsborough lavished attention on painting the _fabrics_ the subjects wore as if the people themselves didn’t interest him. I’d wonder if that was (1) because of his familiarity with the materials as his father was a weaver and trader in fine fabrics so he focused on them (he would know if the detail was somehow wrong) _or_ (2) so that he could show off his technical skill at rendering the fabrics (probably his clients appreciated that) _or_ (3) some sort of subtle jab at the material opulence his clients enjoyed-or maybe some combination of all of them.
he really liked Mrs Graham, but she still looks "dull" it's just the way noble people was to be portrayed back in those days
Wow! Wasn't expecting Gainsborough, people really do sleep on him in the 21st century
He’s one of my favourites.
I've been a "stealthy" follower for a while. So: Thanks! Please do not stop.
Thanks so much! That is VERY generous and will help so much!
I so appreciate that you’re digging into Gainsborough in a way that’s accessible. Sometimes paintings say a lot more about the painter, the sitters, the history, or intrigue of the time than we can pick up at first glance! Another marvelous video!
Thank for the lovely comment! 🙏
I distinctly remember laughing out loud when I saw this in the NPG. “Her face!”, I said to my wife. She pointed out it was unfinished, and postulated that it was because she saw what he painted, and stopped paying him for it. Our honeymoon, it was, and I remember this so well, now, like it happened yesterday and not 12 years ago next week.
12 years wow man! What's the secret haha. That's beautiful to hear. May you live together forever.
@@matanyaholmes3964 Thanks so much for your kind words! For my part, it took a couple of marriages to get this one right. We think it’s important that we go on long walks together every day, dreaming and making plans for the future. We also work together, and we prioritize clear divisions between work and life. Respect and listening!
Bless you and yours!
Fascinating! The faces are unsettling in a way - especially Mr Andrews I would say. Close up it looks rather bland, though oddly asymmetrical, but from a distance I'd say his demeanor comes across as even more contemptuous than his wife's. It's a painting that looks quite different depending on the distance of the viewer. Perhaps another way that Gainsborough communicated how differently they were to the people close to them, and the people removed from them.
This channel has been helping me through a really really rough time. Being able to dive into a niche topic I’m interested in made by someone who is so clearly passionate about it is a wonderful experience, thank you James.
I hope your life gets a little easier soon. Take care - james
Bro was trolling before it was invented
@10:55, the sly insult of the drooping gun alongside the game bag, plus the jackass symbolism, has now made Gainsborough one of my favorite artists of all time. His skill at capturing the nuanced light and color in the lay and folds of fabric is nothing short of amazing. Thank you, James, another brilliant presentation. ♥
My head canon: The removed thing was their cat who would not sit still.
This is hands down some of the best content on the hellscape known as TH-cam. Let’s get smarter and better. 🍸❤
"managed to combine his love of landscape and his desire for money"
for some reason that was very funny and i thought of monty python 😂
I mean look, a man’s gotta eat 😂
You can't eat money though!
This channel is the reason I developed a love for art. I took a trip to Chicago last month and had the opportunity to stand in front of Nighthawks, A Sunday on La Grand Jatte, Van Gogh's Bedroom, many excellent paintings by Georgia O'Keefe, as well as many other amazing pieces of art. If it weren't for this channel I would have never gone to the Art Institute, and if I had, I certainly wouldn't have appreciated the works as much as I did. Thank you James, you are the 1 TH-camr I am truly excited to see popup in my subscription feed
That’s so great!
Wonderful comment! I've been inspired by this channel to start my weekends by visiting a new museum or art gallery after work on Fridays (last week was The Whitney Museum, NYC). Maybe I'll run into James one day (I'll certainly recognize his voice)!!!
Another brilliant dissection James. In fifteen minutes you reveal the nature of Thomas Gainsborough's oeuvre in a succinct and insightful way. It really helps! Thanks so much.
One of the best channels on TH-cam
Man, the 18th century shadiness of paintings are unmatched. They did it with class and wit Contemporary art can't hold a candle to the masters.
8:00 UK not England. Unless youre suggesting it only comes from a small part of the UK which is not accurate
It’s only because it’s an English painting, but I get your point - thanks 🙏
As an Andrews - thankfully no relation to those snobs in the painting - I am always tickled by art critics just lacerating them! Gainsborough was an absolute genius. Always wondered if x-rays or infrared scans were done of her lap just to confirm the presence of a cock pheasant? Also, that isn't corn in the bfield...unless you call wheat or barley, 'corn'. I know that in N America, our corn is called 'maize' in the UK and was often looked down on as pig feed. Maybe another run at this couple? Keep up the great work, love this channel!
Hi Susan - The word corn in British English denoted all cereal grains, including wheat, oats and barley, as in the Corn Laws.
@@GreatArtExplained Ahh ok, that makes sense. Will look up Corn Laws now. Thanks for the clarification! :-)
I look forward to every upload!
10:55 “There is a strong possibility that his drooping gun is a phallic symbol…”
Of course, in these post-Freudian times, it’s fairly easy to interpret a drooping gun that way-and speculate as to Thomas Gainsborough’s _unconscious_ motivations-but is there any real evidence, aside from the gun and the game bag themselves, that Gainsborough himself consciously employed such symbolism or that _any_ painter or anyone (e.g., writers, playwrights) in the 18th century did? Certainly, that interpretation is not _inconsistent_ with what’s known about Gainsborough but that doesn’t necessarily entail, to me, “a strong possibility” that that interpretation is actually the case.
I never noticed the ‘phallus and scrotum’ before, now I can’t unsee them! I definitely suspect Gainsborough’s cynicism at play😊
this has gotta be the painting with the best backstory i've ever heard xD
the idea of an indignant yet seminally talented artist being forced to do lucrative portraits which he personally disdained... for poncy upperclass snobs whom he also disdained... so he came up with his own methods to enjoy the work (heaps of scenery) and even sneakily added in-jokes to insult his patrons (which were likely opaque to the young and newly-rich couple)...
this entire painting is just a vibe! if only modern rebellious middleclass antiestablishmentarian folks would do such ballsy stuff in their work to diss their bosses and the owner class. it'd be like hiding satirical insults in big oil marketing materials or some intrepid blackrock investment arm sneakily funding homeless shelters near their own luxury apartments.
this painting could really become an actual inspiration for modern politics!
Love the landscapes. Wonder what was in her lap? Maybe it was a skunk and the disdain would make more sense.
I live pretty damn close to Gainsborough's house. There's no reason for me to say that, it's just the first time I've ever heard anyone on youtube mention Sudbury
I’m over in Framlingham so I know Sudbury well!
@@GreatArtExplained Ahh yeah I've been there, that's so cool! My grandparents used to live in Aldeburgh, so that must be quite close to you. I now live just outside Sudbury. It really shouldn't mean anything at all but, somehow, the idea of a channel as big and insightful as yours being so local, just makes me smile. My skill is more literary than art but I adore your videos
@@mylittlethoughttree watch this space for literary news!
@@GreatArtExplained Oh my god, now that does get me excited! Just so long as you're not planning a video on Keats' The Eve of St Agnes, because I'm cooking up a video for that
Okay, lets take a journey in Time and history, great effort as always
It's such a pleasure to learn about paintings with you, for me it feels like a child learning how to read!
What gorgeous piece, and what a talent for fabrics! Thank you for the video, as always a pleasure to watch.
Superb explanation as always.
I would like to see more sculptures on the channel,the episode on Michelangelo's David was fascinating.
Great suggestion! I’m actually in the planning stages now for a Bernini
Love your videos,.. love from India
Glad you like them!
Very interesting. Thank you for the precious painting details shared with us. From Brazil.
Her expression is the wife's of a guy who is really proud of the wealth of HER family's.
Great video! Bit harsh on the woman though. Imagine being sold off to an older man when you're still a young child and never having any power over your own life because of your gender.
I agree - she also had 9 children with him poor woman
Again, spectacular research, editing, and writing to tell the story, not just about a painting, but about a time. Her look always put me off, but I have an idea why now.
I love a good art mystery! This one in particular is so fascinating and adds even more layers to an already multi-faceted painting. Thanks as always, James, for the fantastic video!
Thank you so much!
I notice she is so selfish she allows the skirt to take up the whole bench, not making space for the husband, who has to stand. The dog is adoring him, the wife is not. The crop isn’t corn, it’s wheat. The tree trunk creates a dividing line between the two of them. Excellent presentation.
I find the art world so intimidating. This channel explains these masterpieces in a way that is accessible. I love learning about the artist, the historical context and reception of each piece. James’s narration exudes genuine passion and knowledge of the masterpieces. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for art.
the dog is definitely my personal favorite detail in this painting; he doesn't look like he's sitting or behaving, he's ready to jump at that (supposed) dead cock in her lap. goes to reiterate that lack of authority andrews has, and it really animates the scene for me because i can imagine the dog yipping and andrew scowling and shoving him away with his heel
I’d love to see a video from you about Friedrich’s Winter Landscape as it’s my favorite painting. Or also the Hay Wain by Constable or something talking about Turner’s paintings or the Romantic painters. Love your show!
Great suggestions!
This picture makes me wonder how the pair pissed off Gainsborough so much he was willing to flip off a customer
Amazing video as always 😊
Thank you so much 😀
Thanks for the video and for your work. Great topic.
This painting is an amazing caricature.
Once Mrs Andrews face will become a meme.
Thanks for watching
I love watching your Videos, they are so well presented and Intellectual. I would love it if you covered other non-Western Artists like Raja Ravi Verma, MF Hussain too. Regards, and keep up the Good Work ☺️
Great suggestion!
I'm starting to like Gainsborough a LOT more! Great painter and great social critic!
Couldn't agree more!
Thank you, I coincidentally just finished watching a series where the main character inherits a Gainsborough worth ridiculous millions of pounds. I'd barely heard of him and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about him 🧠✨
Thank you 🙏
Fascinating, I never knew the background connecting between The Andrews & Gainsborough. Explains a lot of what is in this picture.
Thanks for the comment!
I love Gainsborough. He's one of the greats.
P.S. Are there any other ideas for what the missing area could be, or is a pheasant the only logically plausible guess?
Hi Thomas - there’s another theory that he left the space to paint in a baby when she gave birth, which she did nine times. I don’t think that makes sense and doesn’t account for the feather. James
@@GreatArtExplainedI was thinking it could be a baby, or a Bible or some other book. But they don't look like the reading type. At least not for pleasure or developing sensibilities. They look very boorish, and arrogant moneyed people.
Fortunate to have seen some of his most famous paintings at the Huntington Library & Museum in California but after watching your video I hope to return with this new appreciation. Thank you, James. This is my favorite TH-cam channel.
Man, this channel is so good for my brain and soul.
Beautifully explained, thank you!
You just opened my eyes to Gainsborough. Thank you!
Amazing channel 🤩 always waiting for new episodes ❤️ please continue making this reviews
Thank you! Will do!
Easily one of the best videos I've seen in a while.
Absolutely love all the videos you make of art, and the stories you tell about them!
Glad you like them!
Jethro Tull was a guy before it was a band??!
Hey James, I think the video can get more views if you change the title to match your other ones. Take out “a very British artist” and just start with Thomas Gainsborough. Just my opinion, I hope the video does well it deserves more views. Good luck!
Thanks - good suggestion!
I'm glad you're finally advertising your Patreon at the beginning of the video! I'm sure many fans didn't even know you had one!
I feel uncomfortable promoting it but it really helps the channel grow - thanks 🙏
Amazing as always. Wheat perhaps. Not corn:)
Thanks 🙏 I explain the use of the term “corn” in the video description
Can you do a piece on Sir Oswald Birley please?
So, the couple never took possession of the unfinished work. And if not, and Gainsbourough could paint so fast, why didn't he finish it?
They did take the painting and we don’t know for sure why he didn’t finish it but can take educated guesses. Thanks 🙏
I love his backgrounds but people on his painting are so boring and dull. Your channel will change the perspective of art for the world!!
I think there is definitely a “disconnect” with his subjects and an obvious love of landscapes.
I really love this painting. Was great to see it in such a deep dive 😊
Thank you so much 😀
You keep referring to the field crop as corn but it looks like wheat to me.
I should have explained more - The word corn in British English denoted all cereal grains, including wheat, oats and barley, as in the Corn Laws.
@@GreatArtExplained interesting. Makes sense now though I’ve never heard that before.
Well, even if this particular painting was not my cup of tea when i saw it while visiting London, i found his landscape choices and beauty astounding! And now i know why... And all that subtext! It really flew by me. Thank you very much Mr Payne for another excellent video. It is even more impressive when one is not in love with the painting, but you still manage to seriously engage us :D
Surerly this is not corn/ a corn field, James.
Hi - there an explanation of why I used the word corn in the video description - thanks 🙏
What an intersting story! Thank you for all the great content you produce. Your channel is truly a gem.
I think that in this era, ,"corn" was a cover word for cereals in general
yes, the word corn in British English denoted all cereal grains, including wheat, oats and barley, as in the Corn Laws.
I think you've taken Waldemar Januszczak presentation on this painting and really expanded it nicely. Great job. Great channel.
First, a quick note: I elected to receive all notifications, but none showed up for this video. If anyone else experienced this, it may be worthwhile to add a comment to this effect (to provide stats that YT may not be able to report, and to help GAE earn more ad revenue residuals). Second, I'd forgotten about the word 'sneer,' so I'm hoping it makes a comeback. Finally, it's nice to be reminded of the business of marriage while media in America heavily promote the 50s-era portrayal of this institution and the joys of childbearing. This is such a mysterious painting, yet when seeing the young wife's wry expression and dark circles under her eyes, I immediately imagined the artist was shagging her -- supports the ED symbolism and the painting being hidden away, possibly after someone removed whatever item lay on her lap as a hallmark of the affair. I've been listening to Dame Judi Dench narrate Lady Chatterley's Lover (multivideo audiobook via YT) to fall asleep at night, so maybe the artist knew she was pregnant with his child -- then the trees could have referred to the hidden relationship and its offspring, and maybe she was shown with a sewing project intended for a baby despite the painting being a wedding gift.
Seems Gainsborough had a great sense of humour and through this painting had the upper hand over this couple's snobbery...quite funny with the two donkeys...great vid! Thanks for your work, so enjoyable.
Glad you enjoyed it
You really fostered my interest in art. Always a joy to see a new video of you popping up on my start page!
I'm so glad!
*Comment to promote an amazing channel*
Everytime I see one of your videos, I'm left with so much awe and information
Great video as always! I had never heard of this painting before, its really quite something.
I’m traveling tomorrow to Paris with the only purpose of going the see The Raft of the Medusa after watching several times the wonderful work of this channel.
That makes me happy! Enjoy 😊
Good video. Thanks. Thought it looks to me like that's wheat or barley rather than corn, and cattle rather than donkeys, which undermined things there a bit. But I enjoyed your observation of the limp phallus and scrotum.
Thanks Chris - I should have been clearer but the word corn in British English denoted all cereal grains, including wheat, oats and barley, as in the Corn Laws. Also as many historians think donkeys as think cattle, so it’s debatable. Thanks for the comment 🙏
@@GreatArtExplainedThank you for the clarification on the corn. As in barleycorn... Thanks too for all your vids. Really liked them all. Sought out a couple of the reviewed arts since and your vids really gave depth to my enjoyment of them.
Thanks for another articulate and informative video. Always impressive, always beaming with depth and quality of information.
Absolutely beautiful, thank you so much James Payne.
Out of curiosity what do think of Waldemar Januszczak’s take on this Gainsborough? (And his documentary?)
For me the wonderful similarities are that you both take us deeper into the meanings, stories and intricacies within an artwork & the art world.
Absolutely love it! Thank you again!
Waldemar is a great documentary maker - I watched his doc a while back but will watch again. Thanks 🙏
Great channel,🩵 art history!
This is without doubt one of the best channels on TH-cam!! Thank you so much.
Absolutely adore this channel and the incredible research/editing you do. Thank you for making such quality viewing.
another episode that was well worth the wait 🙂
tyvm for another upload
🇨🇦
I really enjoy your presentations, James. I live in Chicago and have been to the Art Institute several times. It is so helpful to have an expert like you explain all the nuances and background story. Having been to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg I was blown away by all he had done. A guide helped us understand each painting. Since then I have been watching all of your features. It is really helping me to appreciate Great Art ! Thank you.
You are very welcome
Thank you for your hard work! I always look forward to new episodes.
🙏 thank you 🙏
That unfinished spot in her lap is where the prenup belongs.
😂
It’s not corn!!!! Also oaks are native to everywhere
Hi - The word corn in British English denoted all cereal grains, including wheat, oats and barley, as in the Corn Laws. Thanks 🙏
I love the idea that he was commissioned and then decided to stick it to them. Then that they cottoned on and mothballed the whole thing, but that they didn't destroy it so that we can enjoy his flicked v's to this day! Great job James, thoroughly enjoyed this one as the enclosing of the commons is something I feel strongly about (see the Diggers and listen to "The World Turned Upside Down")
So clearly Gainsborough dealt with a lot of insufferable rich people, nobility, even royalty, but from what I saw of his other works he portrayed them respectfully, which makes me wonder… how _badly_ did these two behave to make him paint such an unflattering, insulting portrait??
Another wonderful video
I'll consider it an earlier Birthday present!
thanks for all the work you do GAE! You are a gem of a channel
Happy birthday!
Brilliant evaluation! I couldn't understand it because I couldn't get the proper context which you so aptly provided. Thank you!
If you like this channel you will probably also like Waldemar Januszczak’s videos for Perspective.
Love your films James- this is the first one where I thought I knew all about it. Wrong !