Floor plan

Time and place18th-century Britain

18th-century Britain

A work made of red chalk on cream laid paper.
This drawing depicts multiple figures in a forest setting. An angelic figure hovers at the top with wings outstretched. The forest below is filled with intricately detailed trees. Figures on the ground are in dynamic poses, one showing surprise or fear, and another reaching upwards. The composition is detailed with flowing garments and textured foliage, evoking tension and animation.
The image shows a forest by a serene, tree-lined body of water. The horizon is high with tall trees extending close to it, creating a sense of depth. The brushstrokes and watercolor application are delicate, capturing textures of leaves and water gently. The color palette includes muted greens, soft browns, and hints of blue and cream. Closest to us is a dense cluster of trees on the right, curving over the water. Across the water, other tree clusters and shrubs recede into the misty background towards the left.
A work made of pen and black ink, over traces of graphite, on tan wove paper, laid down on cream wove paper.
Cottage Children (The Wood Gatherers), by Thomas Gainsborough, 1787
A work made of brush and black ink wash, with pen and black ink and opaque white and gray watercolor, on cream laid paper.
Captain George K. H. Coussmaker (1759–1801), by Joshua Reynolds, 1782

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Works made in Britain in the 18th century.

First room, north wall

  1. A work made of red chalk on cream laid paper.
    Self-PortraitJohn Flaxman, c. 1779Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. This drawing depicts multiple figures in a forest setting. An angelic figure hovers at the top with wings outstretched. The forest below is filled with intricately detailed trees. Figures on the ground are in dynamic poses, one showing surprise or fear, and another reaching upwards. The composition is detailed with flowing garments and textured foliage, evoking tension and animation.
    The Death of Saint Peter MartyrJohn Baptist Jackson, 1739Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a forest by a serene, tree-lined body of water. The horizon is high with tall trees extending close to it, creating a sense of depth. The brushstrokes and watercolor application are delicate, capturing textures of leaves and water gently. The color palette includes muted greens, soft browns, and hints of blue and cream. Closest to us is a dense cluster of trees on the right, curving over the water. Across the water, other tree clusters and shrubs recede into the misty background towards the left.
    Peamore, DevonJohn White Abbott, 1799Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. A work made of pen and black ink, over traces of graphite, on tan wove paper, laid down on cream wove paper.
    Athena and the WindsJohn Flaxman, n.d.Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

First room, south wall

  1. Cottage Children (The Wood Gatherers), by Thomas Gainsborough, 1787
    Cottage Children (The Wood Gatherers)Thomas Gainsborough, 1787Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. A work made of brush and black ink wash, with pen and black ink and opaque white and gray watercolor, on cream laid paper.
    A Hero Born on a Bier, from The Master of Giants PortfolioPrince Hoare, 1779Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. Captain George K. H. Coussmaker (1759–1801), by Joshua Reynolds, 1782
    Captain George K. H. Coussmaker (1759–1801)Joshua Reynolds, 1782Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Second room, south wall

  1. This is a drawing of a seated figure on a large bird. The image depicts a classically draped figure seated on a stylized bird. The figure holds an open book and gazes into the distance. The bird has sharp features and spread wings. The background contains swirling clouds. The scene is framed with a border, and there is text at the bottom. The lines are bold and the shades are muted.
    Saint John the EvangelistJohn Skippe, 1771Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. A work made of engraving in black ink with opaque and translucent watercolor on cream laid paper.
    May, from Twelve Months of FlowersHenry Fletcher, n.d.Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby, by Thomas Lawrence, 1790
    Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of DerbyThomas Lawrence, 1790Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Second room, north wall

  1. Shown from the waist up, a young, pale-skinned woman with her gray hair piled high atop her head is lit starkly against a dark background in this vertical portrait painting. The woman’s shoulders are angled to our left. Her face is square to us, but she looks off to our right from the corners of her eyes, which are gray rimmed with golden brown around the pupils. She has a thin face, smooth cheeks, a bow-shaped pink mouth, and a narrow chin. Her hair is mostly swept up high under a bank of pearl-white feathers and some sparkling ornaments. A few ringlets hang down the back of her neck. The bodice of her white dress scoops low across her chest and sits just above her sloping shoulders. The dress is adorned with pearls on the sleeves and around the neckline, and the fabric shimmers from silvery white to pale gold. The background is earth-brown around her face and deepens to almost black in the corners.
    Mrs. Paul Cobb MethuenThomas Gainsborough, c. 1776/1777Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10), by William Blake, ca. 1803–5
    Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10)William Blake, ca. 1803–5Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. A work made of oil on canvas.
    Anna Maria Dashwood, later Marchioness of ElyThomas Lawrence, c. 1805Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  4. This is a drawing of a winged figure seated on a bird. The image depicts a figure with flowing robes, wings outstretched, holding an open book in one hand. The figure appears to be looking off to the side, with a serene expression. The lower part of the image includes a bird upon which the figure is seated. The bird's head is turned slightly upwards, following the direction in which the figure is gazing. The image is rendered in a warm, monochromatic palette. In the lower section of the image, there is some text, likely Latin.
    Saint John the EvangelistJohn Skippe, 1771Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Third room, north wall

  1. Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland, by Thomas Girtin, 1796–97
    Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, NorthumberlandThomas Girtin, 1796–97Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. John Johnstone, Betty Johnstone, and Miss Wedderburn, by Sir Henry Raeburn, c. 1790/1795
    John Johnstone, Betty Johnstone, and Miss WedderburnSir Henry Raeburn, c. 1790/1795Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington