Why did exhibiting The Blue Boy at the Royal Academy matter to Thomas Gainsborough?

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Exhibiting The Blue Boy at the Royal Academy was a strategic move for Thomas Gainsborough because, although he was already earning a successful living in the fashionable city of Bath, he was anxious to establish his reputation in London.12

By showcasing the portrait at the prestigious new venue—which had only staged its first exhibition in 1769—Gainsborough aimed to elevate his professional standing in the capital. The exhibition of the painting in 1770 was a significant success, winning great acclaim and effectively cementing his status as one of the finest painters of his day.12