Dr Abel Moysey, c.1765 (oil on canvas)

In 1747 Dr Moysey (1715-80) was appointed Physician to Bath General Hospital where he was described as ‘high and mighty but sensible’. Moysey was Gainsborough’s family doctor and close friend, alongside Dr Rice Charleton. It is likely that this picture of Dr Moysey, and two paintings of his eldest son, were painted by Gainsborough to settle his medical bills, charged at one guinea for a consultation. Gainsborough and Moysey’s friendship came to an abrupt end in 1771 when Gainsborough’s daughter Mary fell ill and the doctor gave an unsatisfactory diagnosis.