Cottage with a gate

The present drawing, a study from nature, bears strong stylistic similarities with J. Hayes, The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough, London, 1970, pp. 151-2, nos. 168, 172, pls. 386 and 56. Both the present drawing and lot 36 are of a similar size and technique as two drawings sold Christie's, London, 8 April 1997, lots 2 and 3. As with lot 36 this drawing would appear to date from the late 1750s and may come from one of the sketchbooks purchased by George Hibbert at the Gainsborough sale; Christie's, 11 May 1799, lots 82, 84 or 88.

We are grateful to Hugh Belsey for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.