The artwork titled “William Poyntz of Midgham and his Dog Amber,” created by the artist Thomas Gainsborough in 1762, is an oil painting on canvas. This distinguished piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and measures 234.5 x 152.4 cm. It is categorized within the portrait genre.
The artwork depicts a gentleman, identified as William Poyntz, standing in a poised manner, with his loyal dog, Amber, resting nearby. The subject is dressed in traditional 18th-century hunting attire, a brown coat, waistcoat, and breeches, hinting at his social status and possibly his affinity for hunting. He holds a firearm and seems to be taking a moment of repose amidst a natural, wooded landscape. The backdrop includes a serene river and lush trees, which contribute to the overall tranquil and pastoral atmosphere of the painting. Gainsborough’s masterful use of light and detail not only accentuates the subject’s aristocratic bearing but also brings forth a harmonious blend of human and nature, typical of the Rococo aesthetic.
