Cornard Wood, near Sudbury, Suffolk

Thomas Gainsborough’s Cornard Wood, near Sudbury, Suffolk exemplifies his mastery of landscape painting, reflecting his greater satisfaction with such subjects despite his fame for portraits. Painted with a light palette and fluid strokes, the work captures the idyllic Suffolk countryside in a style that hints at the elegant and decorative qualities of Rococo. Gainsborough, a key figure in 18th-century British art and a founding member of the Royal Academy, is credited with shaping the Landscape school, and this work showcases his ability to evoke atmospheric mood and natural beauty effortlessly.