How did the Lake District influence Thomas Gainsborough’s later landscapes?

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In 1783, Thomas Gainsborough traveled to the Lake District specifically to observe the "wild" scenery that was highly regarded by proponents of the picturesque movement.1

Following this expedition, Gainsborough’s approach to landscape painting shifted as he began producing a series of mountain scenes. These later works drew stylistic inspiration from the paintings of Gaspard Dughet, whose art was widely represented in English country houses at the time. This influence marked a departure from his earlier, more idyllic landscape style, reflecting a direct engagement with the dramatic, rugged topography he encountered during his travels.12