Portrait of Robert Thistlethwayte of Norman Court, standing full-length, wearing a red coat, green waistcoat and buff breaches, holding a can, leaning against a fence, a spaniel by his side

Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects Gainsborough’s characteristic light palette and brisk brushwork. The rendering of fabrics—bright red, green, and buff—demonstrates his skill in depicting texture and sheen. The background’s softened foliage and atmospheric sky illustrate the Rococo influence on portraiture, emphasizing grace and a gentle, decorative ambience.

Since its creation in 1790, the portrait has remained in public collections, currently residing in the Scottish National Gallery. Gainsborough, a leading English painter of the eighteenth century, produced this piece alongside his celebrated landscapes, contributing to the development of British portraiture during the late Rococo period.