Why is The Blue Boy Still Alluring? Few paintings in Western art history have captured the public imagination, such as The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough. This iconic 18th-century portrait continues to inspire artists, fashion designers, and cultural theorists alike. With its vivid use of blue, exquisite brushwork, and ongoing influence on gender and fashion … Continue reading Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy: Fashion, Art History & Gender in One Painting