Renowned artist 'hid phallic symbols' in family portrait as 'revenge' - but can you see them?
A centuries-old painting considered to be one of English artist Thomas Gainsborough's finest pieces may be littered with intentional "vulgar" references.
Painted after his return home from London to Suffolk in 1748, the previously untitled painting features Robert Andrews and his 16-year-old bride Frances Carter with an unfinished space on Mrs Andrews' lap, perhaps left for a child later on.
But this seemingly innocent painting by Gainsborough, believed to be celebrating the marriage of a loving couple, may not be as innocent as it seems.
The new interpretation of the painting was published by art historian James Hamilton who has penned a biography on Thomas Gainsborough.
Hamilton claims there's sexual innuendo in the painting, placed their by Gainsborough after a supposed falling out with the couple.
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He says the piece could be the work of revenge.
"Certain signs point towards the painter’s revenge. Something went very wrong," Hamilton said, as reported in The Telegraph.
The painting shows Mr Andrews sporting a bag on his hip that suspiciously looks more like male genitalia, Hamilton says.
A pair of donkeys, representing the couple, is tucked away to the side, believed to be a dig at the couple, and there's allegedly a crude sketch of a penis scribbled over Mrs Andrews' lap.
"Gainsborough was a randy gentleman living in a randy age. Sexual innuendo and graffiti were not foreign to him," Hamilton said.
"A painting with such a high finish and express detail as 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' would not have been left [partly unfinished] and delivered without a clear understanding, serious discussion or a fundamental falling out."
The painting is currently hanging at the National Gallery in London.
