Isabella Flores
The Blue Boy is a painting by Thomas Gainsborough that was first shown in public in 1770. It is considered a masterpiece of artistic virtuosity, with Gainsborough's command of colour and mastery of brushwork on full display. The painting is owned by The Huntington in San Marino, California, and has been exhibited at several notable venues, including the National Gallery in London. The identity of the boy in the painting is disputed, with some believing it to be Jonathan Buttall, the son of a wealthy hardware merchant, while others argue it is Gainsborough's nephew, Gainsborough Dupont. The painting has been reproduced by artists such as Ken Pentony, and its popularity has led to its appearance in various forms, including ceramic figures, advertisements, and fancy-dress costumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painter | Thomas Gainsborough |
| Year | c. 1770 |
| Type | Oil painting |
| Size | 48 inches (1,200 mm) wide by 70 inches (1,800 mm) tall |
| Current Owner | The Huntington, San Marino, California |
| Previous Owners | Jonathan Buttall, John Nesbitt, John Hoppner, Earl Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, Henry Edward Huntington |
| Reproduction | Ken Pentony and others have made reproductions |
| Value of Reproductions | $480 |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's history and ownership
Thomas Gainsborough's Blue Boy, created around 1770, is a full-length portrait in oil. It is currently owned by The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. The painting was initially owned by Jonathan Buttall, the son of a wealthy hardware merchant, until he filed for bankruptcy in 1796. It was then bought by the politician John Nesbitt, followed by the portrait painter John Hoppner in 1802. Around 1809, The Blue Boy entered the collection of the Earl Grosvenor, and it remained with his descendants until it was sold by the second Duke of Westminster to the California railroad magnate Henry Edward Huntington in 1921.
Before its departure to California in 1922, The Blue Boy was displayed at the National Gallery in London, attracting 90,000 visitors. The painting's sale to an American buyer caused a stir in Britain, with the loss of Gainsborough's work recognised in various ways, including its appearance on stage at the New Oxford Theatre in spring 1922. The painting was exhibited at the Great London Exposition in 1862, the Grosvenor Gallery in 1885, and the Royal Academy in 1896, where it was hailed as "the most famous of all of his pictures" by the London Times.
The Blue Boy was first shown in public at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1770 as A Portrait of a Young Gentleman, receiving widespread acclaim. By 1798, it had earned the nickname "The Blue Boy", coined by the public, which has endured. The painting's subject is disputed. It was long believed to be a portrait of Buttall due to his early ownership of the artwork. However, art historian Susan Sloman argued in 2013 that the sitter is likely Gainsborough's nephew, Gainsborough Dupont.
The painting is considered a masterpiece of artistic virtuosity, showcasing Gainsborough's command of colour and brushwork. It is a historical costume study, with the youth depicted in 17th-century clothing as an homage to Anthony van Dyck. The brilliant blue suit, painted using Prussian blue, stood out against the period's preference for warm, red tones. The bold composition signalled a new direction for portraiture in the country. The painting's influence extended beyond the art world, with the boy's likeness emulated in popular culture, such as in the movie "Curly Top" (1935) featuring Shirley Temple.
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The subject's identity
The identity of the subject of Thomas Gainsborough's painting "The Blue Boy" is disputed. For a long time, it was thought that the painting was a portrait of Jonathan Buttall (1752–1805), the son of a wealthy hardware merchant, because he was the painting's first owner. However, this identification has never been proven. In 2013, Susan Sloman argued that the painting is more likely a portrait of Gainsborough's nephew, Gainsborough Dupont (1754–1797).
The painting is considered a historical costume study, with the youth depicted wearing clothing from the 17th century in homage to Anthony van Dyck. The painting is very similar to Van Dyck's portraits of young boys, especially his double portrait of brothers George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, and Lord Francis Villiers.
"The Blue Boy" was first exhibited in public in 1770 at the Royal Academy exhibition, where it was originally titled "A Portrait of a Young Gentleman". The painting received high acclaim and, by 1798, it had been nicknamed "The Blue Boy", a name that has endured.
In addition to its artistic significance, "The Blue Boy" has cultural significance as well. In 1921, the painting was purchased by Henry and Arabella Huntington for $728,000, the highest price ever paid for a painting at the time. The sale brought a British treasure to the United States, adding to the painting's notoriety on both sides of the Atlantic.
Today, "The Blue Boy" is owned by The Huntington in San Marino, California, where it is on display in the Thornton Portrait Gallery.
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The artist's intention
Thomas Gainsborough's "Blue Boy" is considered a masterpiece of artistic virtuosity, with the artist's command of colour and mastery of brushwork on full display. The painting is a historical costume study, with the youth depicted wearing clothing from the 17th century. This is believed to be an homage to Gainsborough's idol, Anthony van Dyck, whose preference for grand, full-length portraiture was an immense influence on the British painter.
Gainsborough's bold composition signalled a new direction for portraiture, with the brilliant blue suit of the boy causing a stir when it was first displayed publicly in 1770. The painting is believed to have been created as a response to the advice of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who had stated that paintings should always contain warm, mellow colours, such as yellow, red, or yellowish-white, with cold colours like blue, grey, and green playing a supporting role. Gainsborough's use of blue as the dominant colour in "Blue Boy" is thought to be a deliberate contradiction of Reynolds' guidelines, with the artist intending to showcase his prowess and make a statement about colour theory.
The subject of the portrait is a matter of debate, with some historians identifying the boy as Jonathan Buttall, the son of a wealthy merchant and acquaintance of the artist. Others believe the painting was a character study without a specific sitter, intended to depict the aristocratic type who attended masquerade balls. The painting's large scale and positioning of the boy like a monarch further contribute to the sense of grandeur and importance conveyed in the work.
Beyond its artistic significance, "Blue Boy" has had a notable impact on popular culture, with the image of the boy in blue being emulated and referenced in various forms of media. The painting has also been associated with homosexuality, with stereotypes linking the work to gay culture and the embodiment of the liberated gay man. The painting's influence extends to inspiring generations of artists and scholars, captivating the public imagination, and solidifying Gainsborough's place in art history.
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The painting's style and technique
The Blue Boy is a full-length portrait in oil by Thomas Gainsborough, measuring 48 inches (1,200 mm) wide by 70 inches (1,800 mm) tall. It is considered a masterpiece of artistic virtuosity, with Gainsborough's command of colour and mastery of brushwork on full display.
The painting was first exhibited in public in 1770 at the Royal Academy exhibition under the title "A Portrait of a Young Gentleman", where it received high acclaim. By 1798, it was being referred to as "The Blue Boy", a nickname that has endured.
The painting is believed to have been created on a used canvas, with Gainsborough painting over a previous work. This was confirmed in 2017 during the "Project Blue Boy" restoration project, which used imaging techniques such as x-radiography and infrared reflectography to reveal the painting's history.
The Blue Boy is considered a historical costume study, with the youth depicted in clothing from the 17th century, paying homage to the works of Anthony van Dyck. The subject of the portrait is disputed, with some believing it to be Jonathan Buttall, the son of a wealthy hardware merchant, while others argue it is Gainsborough's nephew, Gainsborough Dupont.
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The painting's current location
Thomas Gainsborough's Blue Boy was purchased by American railway baron Henry Edwards Huntington in 1922. It was sold for $778,000 (approximately $9.29 million today), making it the most expensive artwork ever sold at the time. The painting was initially purchased by Henry and Arabella Huntington in 1921 for $728,000 (over $10 million today).
The Blue Boy is currently displayed at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. The painting resides in the Thornton Portrait Gallery within the Huntington Art Gallery.
The painting has remained in California since its sale to Huntington in 1922. However, it was loaned to the National Gallery in London for an exhibition from January 25 to May 3, 2022. This exhibition marked the first time the painting had returned to the United Kingdom in a century.
The Blue Boy is considered a masterpiece and one of the greatest works of 18th-century British art. Its current location, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, is a renowned cultural institution that has showcased the painting as a star attraction.
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Frequently asked questions
The original "Blue Boy" by Thomas Gainsborough is currently housed in a museum in California, so if your painting is in your possession, it is likely a reproduction. You can also check the back of the painting for an IBM number, which would indicate that it is a print.
The original "Blue Boy" is an oil painting on canvas that measures 48 inches (1,200 mm) wide by 70 inches (1,800 mm) tall. Reproductions may be smaller and may be signed by K. Pentony, who is known for issuing limited edition copies.
"The Blue Boy" was first exhibited in 1770 at the Royal Academy exhibition under the title ""A Portrait of a Young Gentleman." It was originally owned by Jonathan Buttall, although some sources suggest that the painting was not a portrait and that there was no sitter. The painting was sold in 1921 to Henry Huntington for $728,000, making it the most expensive painting in the world at the time.
