Gainsborough's House welcomes international celebrities

Nicole Farhi with her husband David Hare and her bust of Thomas Gainsborough.

 The fact that Gainsborough's House in Sudbury is absolutely the place to see and be seen was confirmed on Monday afternoon when celebrities, both local and international,  flocked to the museum.

The internationally renowned fashion designer and sculptor Nicole Farhi visited the House with her playwright husband, David Hare and her friend Anna Wintour, the English editor in chief of American Vogue.  Ms Farhi has created a fine bust of Thomas Gainsborough which was on prominent display.  Ms Wintour, who is a friend of the sculptor, unexpectedly called the museum some time ago offering to fund the project.

Trustees, patrons and supporters welcomed the visitors, who toured the House and expressed great appreciation of the works on display.

David Hare made a speech in which he commented on the connections between the two artists, working 250 years apart.   Gainsborough himself was, of course, no stranger to the celebrities of his age, and had close connections with the fashion industry of the day.

Gainsborough's House is currently seeking Heritage Lottery Funding for a major capital project and the generous support of such high profile individuals is particularly welcome at this time.

A more local celebrity, amateur musician Ann Ford, painted by Gainsborough.  Gainsborough's House owns a preliminary sketch for this painting.