The Artist Gainsborough's Last Words

Gainsborough

An officer of the 4th Regiment of Foot
by Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough, a brilliant often called 'genius' at painting in the 18th century. What little people know is that he once identified a thief. His father once predicted that he would be hanged, but once he saw how great his son Tom was at art he declared 'Tom will be a genius.' He was interested in
nature especially, and his portraits showed great natural backgrounds. So it fits knowing who he is that his last words would be art inspired. His words were

"We are all going to heaven, and van Dyke is of the company."

An Italian Painting by van Dyck

Anthony van Dyck ('van Dyck') was a 17th century painter whose masterful grasp of painting the feel and look of cloth dazzled people. Gainsborough must have admired the work of van Dyck.








Sources:
Familiar Short Sayings of Familiar Men by S. A. Bent, 1887. Don't be fooled! This book isn't about sayings, it is about quotes and not all of them are from men. http://www.bartleby.com/344/183.html
Entries of Anthony van Dyck and Thomas Gainsborough in The Dictionary of National Biography on Wikisource.