Gainsborough make-up bag Words to Daughters

"A beautifully designed zipped bag featuring detail from a painting in the collection at Gainsborough's House - a stylish way to store your make-up. With Thomas Gainsborough's words on the reverse, a delightful reference to teaching his daughters Margaret and Mary to paint so they might earn a living.

“But you must know I’m upon a scheme of learning them both to paint Landscape…I think (and indeed always did myself) that I had better do this than make fine trumpery of them, and let them be led away with Vanity, and ever subject to disappointment in the wild Goose chace”

Inspired by his writings, an extract from a letter written by Gainsborough to James Unwin in 1764, it makes a truly worthy addition to any dressing table.

Printed and handmade in the UK Exclusive to Gainsborough's House All purchases support Art UK and Gainsborough's House".

Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 4.5 cm

Material: Fully lined

Surface wash only

Thomas Gainsborough’s letters reveal a man who was generous and warm-hearted, devoted to his family and friends, usually sensible in his own affairs and always so in the advice he gave to others.

The Gainsborough’s House collection includes a significant collection of books and manuscripts dating from Gainsborough’s lifetime. Original letters written by Gainsborough to friends and patrons not only reveal a great deal about his interactions and professional affairs, but also provide crucial information about his character and temperament. We also learn much about his art: his methods and techniques; his materials; and his concern with how his pictures were displayed.