Portrait of Thomas Linley the Elder

Portrait of Thomas Linley the Elder is a c.1770 portrait painting by the British artist Thomas Gainsborough depicting the English musician Thomas Linley the Elder. ^{[1] [2]} At the time Gainsborough was based in the fashionable spa resort of Bath in Somerset. Linley was a musical leader in Bath and was noted for his musical family who often performed together. He later became musical director and a co-owner of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane with his son-in-law Richard Brinsley Sheridan. He was a friend of the artists who produced several depictions of his children including The Linley Sisters. In reference to his profession Linley is shown holding sheet music. ^[3]

Portrait of Thomas Linley the Elder
Artist	Thomas Gainsborough
Year	c.1770
Type	Oil on canvas, portrait painting
Dimensions	76.5 cm × 63.5 cm (30.1 in × 25.0 in)
Location	Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

Gainsborough also produced a noted portrait of his son Thomas Linley the Younger in c.1771. Today both paintings are in the collection of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, having been part of the bequest of William Linley.^[4]

See also

• Portrait of Thomas Linley the Younger, a 1772 painting by Gainsborough