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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Karl Friedrich Abel, c. 1765

Thomas Gainsborough

Karl Friedrich Abel, c. 1765

One of the last great viola da gamba virtuosi, the German musician Karl Friedrich Abel (1723–1787) arrived in London in 1759. He became famous for the subscription concerts that he organised with Johann Christian Bach. This portrait celebrates Abel’s identity as a musician. He and the artist Thomas Gainsborough were close friends, who shared a passion for the viola da gamba. Gainsborough became a skilful performer on the instrument and his careful portrayal of the underhand grip of the bow reflects his understanding of it. In return for his teaching, Abel received some paintings and many drawings by his friend.

On Abel’s death, Gainsborough said, ‘I shall never cease looking up to heaven the little while I have to stay behind – in hopes of getting one more glance of the man I loved from the moment I heard him touch the string’.

National Portrait Gallery, London Purchased with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 1987
© National Portrait Gallery, London

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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