Thomas Hudson, 1701 – 1779

Thomas Hudson: The 100 Most Famous Paintings

Sir Peter Warren is the most famous painting by Thomas Hudson, held by the National Portrait Gallery in London. John Newton (1757) and The Thistlethwayte Family (1758) are the next two works the world knows best. From the 299 works of Thomas Hudson in our catalogue, here are the 100 that collectors and museum visitors look at most, with the year, the museum and the story of each.

Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.

Portrait of Thomas Hudson
Thomas Hudson · 1701 – 1779
Born · died
1701 – 1779, Devon
Movement
Neoclassicism
Works in our catalogue
299
Most famous
Sir Peter Warren
Most works at
Yale Center for British Art

Top 10: Thomas Hudson's best-known paintings

Sir Peter Warren by Thomas Hudson
1

Sir Peter Warren

Acrylic On Canvas · National Portrait Gallery, London

A Portrait of Power: Sir Peter Warren by Thomas Hudson This striking portrait offers a compelling glimpse into the world of 18th-century British naval and colonial power. Painted by the esteemed English portraitist Thomas Hudson, this artwork captures Sir Peter Warren, a figure of significant historical importance, with an air of authority and refined elegance. The composition is masterful in its balance and formality, characteristic of the period’s artistic conventions.…

John Newton (1757) by Thomas Hudson
2

John Newton

1757 · Oil On Canvas · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

In this 1757 portrait, Thomas Hudson captures a man of significant social standing through a disciplined, three-quarter length composition. The subject is positioned slightly off-center, a choice that lends a sense of movement to an otherwise formal arrangement. Light enters from the upper left, casting deliberate shadows across the face and creating sharp highlights on the metallic embroidery of the waistcoat. This directional lighting emphasizes the three-dimensional depth of the…

The Thistlethwayte Family (1758) by Thomas Hudson
3

The Thistlethwayte Family

1758 · Oil On Canvas · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

The Thistlethwayte Family emerges from the brush of Thomas Hudson, a painter who captures a moment of poised familial unity. Created about 1758, this oil on canvas brings the inhabitants of Southwick Park into view. The scene centers on Alexander Thistlethwayte, a Member of Parliament from Hampshire, who stands with a quiet, dignified presence. Beside him, his wife Sarah Thistlethwayte occupies the space, her presence lending a sense of grace…

Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain (1745) by Thomas Hudson
4

Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain

1745 · Oil On Canvas · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

The subject is positioned in a three-quarter view, standing against a soft, atmospheric landscape. She wears a dark navy blue military-style jacket, characterized by horizontal gold braided trim, known as frogging, which creates a rhythmic pattern across her torso. A white lace cravat is visible at her neck, providing a sharp contrast to the deep tones of her garment. The fabric of the jacket appears heavy, suggesting the texture of…

Portrait of a Lady with her daughter (1750) by Thomas Hudson
5

Portrait of a Lady with her daughter

1750 · Oil On Canvas · Museo del Prado, Madrid

The scene unfolds in the 18th century through the brush of Thomas Hudson, who captures a quiet, intimate moment in Portrait of a Lady with her daughter. This oil on canvas work brings a mother and her child into the present, freezing a connection that speaks of lineage and the weight of social status. The figures exist within a space that feels both private and formal, as if we have…

John Van der Wall (1745) by Thomas Hudson
6

John Van der Wall

1745 · Oil On Canvas · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

A young man occupies the center of this 1745 oil on canvas, captured in a three-quarter length pose that suggests both poise and aristocratic intent. He is dressed in the structured fashion of the mid-18th century, wearing a shimmering gold and brown doublet paired with a heavy red cloak that drapes across the composition. A crisp white lace collar provides a sharp point of light near his face, drawing the…

Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire (1749) by Thomas Hudson
7

Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire

1749 · Oil On Canvas · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

In the "Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire" by Thomas Hudson, the sitter is captured in a three-quarter view. She faces slightly toward the viewer, her presence anchored against a dark, atmospheric background. To the left, a deep, dramatic red drapery cuts through the shadows. This heavy weight of color balances the shimmering silvery-white and pale blue tones of her satin gown. The fabric catches…

Mrs. John Wendt (1745) by Thomas Hudson
8

Mrs. John Wendt

1745 · Oil On Canvas · Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn

The portrait titled Mrs. John Wendt is an oil on canvas painted by the British artist Thomas Hudson. Created about 1745, the work captures a moment of quiet poise. Hudson, who lived from 1701 to 1779, rendered the subject with the steady hand of a man accustomed to the high society of his era.

The rest of the Thomas Hudson ranking, 11 to 100

Admiral Sir Peter Warren by Thomas Hudson
#17

Admiral Sir Peter Warren

National Maritime Museum

The portrait of Admiral Sir Peter Warren, K.B. meets the viewer through the steady gaze of a man defined by his naval command. Painted by Thomas Hudson, this…

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Miss Ashton by Thomas Hudson
#20

Miss Ashton

Detroit Institute of Arts

Thomas Hudson presents Miss Ashton, a portrait of a single female figure. The subject is a young woman identified as Miss Ashton. This work belongs to the tradition…

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Thomas Hudson's paintings by period

The subjects Thomas Hudson painted most

The four subjects that return most often among these masterpieces, with the finest example of each.

Where to see Thomas Hudson's paintings

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Thomas Hudson Paintings from this list
Yale Center for British Art, New HavenYale Center for British Art New Haven 5 The Thistlethwayte Family, Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain, Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire
National Portrait Gallery, LondonNational Portrait Gallery London 8 Sir Peter Warren, Portrait Of Sir John Willes, Portrait Of Alexander Van Aken
Sudbury Hall, AshbourneSudbury Hall Ashbourne 4 The Hon. Mary Venables Vernon, later Mrs George (Adams) Anson (1739-1843), as a Girl, Sir William Lee, Anne Lee
Belton House, GranthamBelton House Grantham 3 Jane Cust, Lucy Cockayne Cust
Lanhydrock House, BodminLanhydrock House Bodmin 3 Frances Hunt, Elizabeth Hunt
Art Institute of Chicago, ChicagoArt Institute of Chicago Chicago 2 John Newton, John Van der Wall
National Maritime Museum, LondonNational Maritime Museum London 5 Admiral Sir Peter Warren
National Library of Wales, AberystwythNational Library of Wales Aberystwyth 4 Sir Nicholas Williams

Thomas Hudson through the years: the masterpieces of each year

Thomas Hudson worked for 19 years, from 1740 to 1758: here is that long career year by year, through its best-known paintings.

  1. 1740
  2. 1740
  3. 1745
    Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain (1745) by Thomas Hudson
    Rank 4 / 100

    Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain

    Age 44 · Yale Center for British Art

    The subject is positioned in a three-quarter view, standing against a soft, atmospheric landscape. She wears a dark navy blue military-style jacket, characterized by horizontal gold braided trim,…

  4. 1745
    John Van der Wall (1745) by Thomas Hudson
    Rank 6 / 100

    John Van der Wall

    Age 44 · Art Institute of Chicago

    A young man occupies the center of this 1745 oil on canvas, captured in a three-quarter length pose that suggests both poise and aristocratic intent. He is dressed…

  5. 1745
    Mrs. John Wendt (1745) by Thomas Hudson
    #8 of 100

    Mrs. John Wendt

    Age 44 · Brooklyn Museum

    The portrait titled Mrs. John Wendt is an oil on canvas painted by the British artist Thomas Hudson. Created about 1745, the work captures a moment of quiet…

  6. 1745
  7. 1745
  8. 1746
  9. 1747
  10. 1749
  11. 1750
    Portrait of a Lady with her daughter (1750) by Thomas Hudson
    No. 5 of 100

    Portrait of a Lady with her daughter

    Age 49 · Museo del Prado

    The scene unfolds in the 18th century through the brush of Thomas Hudson, who captures a quiet, intimate moment in Portrait of a Lady with her daughter. This…

  12. 1756
  13. 1757
    John Newton (1757) by Thomas Hudson
    #2 of 100

    John Newton

    Age 56 · Art Institute of Chicago

    In this 1757 portrait, Thomas Hudson captures a man of significant social standing through a disciplined, three-quarter length composition. The subject is positioned slightly off-center, a choice that…

  14. 1758
    The Thistlethwayte Family (1758) by Thomas Hudson
    No. 3 of 100

    The Thistlethwayte Family

    Age 57 · Yale Center for British Art

    The Thistlethwayte Family emerges from the brush of Thomas Hudson, a painter who captures a moment of poised familial unity. Created about 1758, this oil on canvas brings…

  15. 1758

Thomas Hudson's paintings: frequently asked questions

What is the most famous Thomas Hudson painting?Show the answer

Sir Peter Warren, National Portrait Gallery, London. Next come John Newton (1757) and The Thistlethwayte Family (1758).

Which are the 10 most famous Thomas Hudson paintings?Show the answer

Sir Peter Warren, John Newton, The Thistlethwayte Family, Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain, Portrait of a Lady with her daughter, John Van der Wall, Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire, Mrs. John Wendt, Sir Nicholas Williams and Portrait of a Lady. The ranking above gives the year and the museum of each.

How many paintings by Thomas Hudson are there?Show the answer

Our catalogue lists 299 works by Thomas Hudson, dated from 1740 to 1758.

Where can I see the most famous Thomas Hudson paintings?Show the answer

Most of them are in Yale Center for British Art (New Haven), National Portrait Gallery (London) and Sudbury Hall (Ashbourne). The table above lists the museums one by one.

In which period did Thomas Hudson paint the best-known works?Show the answer

In 1745: 5 of the 100 works on this page date from then, among them Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain.

What is the earliest famous Thomas Hudson painting, and the latest?Show the answer

The earliest on this page is Sir Nicholas Williams (1740), the latest The Thistlethwayte Family (1758).

What subjects did Thomas Hudson paint?Show the answer

18th century (25), Portraiture (21) and Portrait (14), among the 100 works on this page.

What did Thomas Hudson paint on, and with what?Show the answer

Oil On Canvas: 9 of the 100 works on this page.

Which movement does Thomas Hudson's art belong to?Show the answer

Neoclassicism, as the paintings on this page show.

What Thomas Hudson paintings does the Yale Center for British Art hold?Show the answer

The Thistlethwayte Family, Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonore of Great Britain and Portrait of a Woman, Probably Elizabeth Aislabie, of Studley Royal, Yorkshire are among the 4 works on this page held by the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven.

Where can I buy a Thomas Hudson reproduction?Show the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.

Thomas Hudson: biography

Thomas Hudson: A Life in Portraiture

Early Life and Training

  • Born: 1701, Bideford, United Kingdom (exact birthplace unknown).
  • Thomas Hudson emerged as a prominent figure in 18th-century English portraiture. His early life remains somewhat obscure, but his dedication to art quickly became apparent.
  • Apprenticeship: He began his artistic journey under the tutelage of Jonathan Richardson in London. This foundational training instilled in him a meticulous approach to portraiture and a keen eye for detail.
  • A controversial marriage followed, as Hudson wed Richardson’s daughter before 1725, despite his mentor's disapproval.

Prolific Period and Artistic Style

  • Peak Years: Hudson reached the height of his career between 1740 and 1760. From 1745 to 1755, he was arguably London’s most successful portraitist.
  • Workshop Practice: He operated a bustling workshop with numerous assistants, including the specialist drapery painter Joseph van Aken, allowing him to fulfill a high volume of commissions.
  • Style Characteristics: Hudson’s portraits are celebrated for their elegance and refinement. He skillfully captured the status and personality of his sitters through polished brushwork and attention to detail, particularly in rendering fabrics and textures.

Influences and Travels

  • Artistic Influences: Richardson’s influence is evident in Hudson's early work, emphasizing accuracy and a classical approach.
  • Continental Exposure: In 1748, he traveled to the Low Countries, followed by Italy in 1752. These journeys exposed him to diverse artistic styles and techniques, broadening his artistic horizons.
  • Twickenham Residence: In 1753, Hudson purchased a house at Cross Deep, Twickenham, near Alexander Pope’s villa, placing him within a vibrant intellectual and artistic community.

Notable Students and Legacy

  • Mentorship: Hudson was an influential teacher. Among his most celebrated pupils were Joshua Reynolds and Joseph Wright, both of whom went on to become leading figures in British art.
  • Drapery Expertise: He also trained Peter Toms, who specialized in painting draperies, further demonstrating Hudson’s commitment to technical skill and craftsmanship.
  • Later Life & Death: Towards the end of the 1750s, Hudson began to retire from active practice. He died at Twickenham in 1779.
  • Posthumous Sale: His extensive private art collection was sold off in three separate sales after his death.

Historical Significance and Works Today

  • Contribution to British Portraiture: Thomas Hudson played a crucial role in shaping the development of English portraiture during the 18th century. His refined style set a standard for elegance and sophistication.
  • Museum Collections: His paintings can be found in prominent institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum, Tate, Foundling Museum, and the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.
  • Accessibility Today: Many of his works are also available for viewing online at platforms like WahooArt.com, allowing art enthusiasts worldwide to appreciate his artistry.

All 299 works by Thomas Hudson →