A country track with houses

Hugh Belsey dates this drawing to circa 1763. It is an unusual subject for Gainsborough, although the mansion in the background is similar to the classical building in the background of a drawing now known only from a print by John Laporte. The gold monogram implies that this was a presentation drawing, and it is possible that the recipient had a hand in determining the composition.
We are grateful to Hugh Belsey for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.