Mrs Mary Cobbold and Miss Cobbold, with a Lamb and Ewe

This elegant painting of Mrs and Miss Cobbold takes the form of what was described in the eighteenth century as a 'picture in little,' but known more familiarly now as a conversation piece. Such paintings, fashionable in the mid-eighteenth century, were of a domestic scale that set figures within a landscape. Gainsborough learned much of this genre from mentors at this time particularly Francis Hayman (1707/8–1776), and took it to new heights in paintings such as Mr and Mrs Andrews (c. 1750, National Gallery). The seated lady is Mrs Mary Cobbold (d. 1758), with the young girl standing being either her daughter Anne or her granddaughter Sarah.

Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to Gainsborough's House, June 1998.