Gainsborough’s Blue Boy returns to London

For a couple of months, it’s possible to see a painting in London whose sale a century ago to an America caused an outcry to save it for the nation. Unsuccessfully.
The painting, made in 1770, of a young man in a striking blue outfit in a style similar to Anthony van Dyck was painted by Gainsborough as a challenge to his rival Sir Joshua Reynolds, who had declared that blue should be avoided in paintings in favour of the warmer colours.Although not initially appreciated by the public, by t