The artwork, “Richard Hurd, Bishop of Worcester,” was created by Thomas Gainsborough in 1781. This oil on canvas painting, measuring 76.2 x 63.5 cm, is a portrait that belongs to the Rococo art movement.
The artwork depicts Richard Hurd, the Bishop of Worcester, rendered with meticulous detail and subtle elegance characteristic of Gainsborough’s style. The bishop is presented in formal ecclesiastical attire, with his features highlighted by soft, diffuse lighting which enhances the solemnity and dignity of his expression. The background, with its subdued and harmonious tones, serves to bring the viewer’s attention squarely onto the serene and contemplative figure of Bishop Hurd. The painting combines rich colors with subtle brushwork to reflect the grace and distinction befitting the subject’s esteemed position within the church.
