It’s easy to romanticize the past, especially when looking at beautiful images of enchanting clothing. The paintings of Thomas Gainsborough are a perfect example. For the first time, his 18th-century British portraits have been gathered in “Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture,” an exhibition opening at New York’s Frick Collection on February 12.

The museum explores what the artist’s subjects wore as an important topic, alongside themes of class and power. The show’s overlap with New York Fashion Week is both fortuitous and revealing. Portraits, which were time-consuming to create, projected prosperity, with subjects typically dressed in their finest attire. In Gainsborough’s era, status and rank were communicated not just by the cut of an outfit, but also by the materials used. His subjects included stylish, trendsetting women like the Scottish courtesan Grace Dalrymple Elliott—precursors to today’s influencers, who might change outfits between fashion shows hoping to be spotted by street style photographers.

To bridge past and present, we’ve paired Gainsborough’s timeless portraits with fleeting runway images from recent seasons. While the goal is more about capturing a mood than exact matches, it’s fascinating to consider why designers—and museum curators—are now exploring the Age of Enlightenment and its rococo stylings, which eventually gave way to revolution. (This coincides with the tail end of the V&A’s “Marie Antoinette Style” exhibition and “Fashion in the 18th Century: A Fantasized Legacy” at the Palais Galliera.) Perhaps it has something to do with presenting one’s best self. On y va!

“Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture” is on view at the Frick Collection from February 12 through May 25, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about The Remix Gainsboroughs 18thCentury Portraits Meet the Runway designed to answer questions from firsttime visitors to art and fashion enthusiasts

General Information

1 What is The Remix exhibition about
Its an exhibition that directly compares 18thcentury portraits by Thomas Gainsborough with contemporary fashion from the runway It explores how themes of identity status fabric and silhouette from the 1700s are reinterpreted in modern design

2 Where and when is it being held
Please check the official website of the hosting museum or gallery for the most current dates and location

3 Do I need to buy tickets in advance
It is highly recommended as special exhibitions like this often sell out Timedentry tickets are usually required

4 Is the exhibition suitable for children
Yes it can be very engaging for kids interested in art history or fancy dresses The direct visual connection between paintings and clothing often captures their imagination more than a traditional art show

Content Themes

5 Who was Thomas Gainsborough
He was one of the most famous portrait and landscape painters in 18thcentury Britain known for his elegant fluid style and ability to capture the personality and luxurious fabrics of his wealthy subjects

6 Which fashion designers are featured
The exhibition typically includes work from a range of iconic designers You can expect to see pieces from houses like Alexander McQueen Vivienne Westwood Gucci Iris van Herpen and others who use historical reference drama and exquisite craftsmanship

7 Whats the main point of putting old paintings next to new clothes
To show that the ideas in portraitureshowing off wealth playing with identity using clothing as armor or expressionare still alive today It makes you see the paintings as fashion shots of their time and the clothes as modern portraits

8 Are the fashion items behind glass Can I see the details
Most haute couture and historical garments are displayed in climatecontrolled cases for their protection However the curation focuses on placing them so you can clearly compare textures shapes and details with the paintings nearby

Practical Visit Tips