Gawen Hamilton facts for kids
Gawen Hamilton (born 1698 – died 1737) was a Scottish painter who worked in London. He is sometimes confused with another artist named Gavin Hamilton, who came later. Gawen Hamilton was one of the first British artists to paint "conversation pieces."
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What Are Conversation Pieces?
Conversation pieces are paintings that show groups of friends, families, or other people together. They often show people doing everyday things, like playing cards or having tea. Gawen Hamilton was very good at painting these kinds of scenes. Some of his paintings even show groups of artists and craftspeople, like the famous Rose and Crown Club.
Gawen Hamilton's Life and Art
Most of what we know about Gawen Hamilton comes from the notes of George Vertue. Vertue was a friend of Hamilton and a fellow artist. He was part of the same social groups, including the Rose and Crown Club. This club was a friendly group that met often.
In 1735, Hamilton painted a picture of another group called the "Club of Artists." This club met at the King's Arms in London. The artists in the club paid for the painting to help Hamilton. Later, one of the artists, Joseph Goupy, won the painting in a raffle!
Hamilton was also friends with other famous people, like the composer George Frideric Handel. Handel's trumpeter, John Baptist Grano, even wrote about Hamilton in his diary. George Vertue thought Hamilton was a better painter than William Hogarth when it came to colors and making people look natural.
Early Life and Work
Gawen Hamilton was born near Hamilton, Scotland. He learned to paint from an artist named Wilson. Vertue noted that Hamilton was especially good at painting groups with many small figures. He painted a portrait of John Wootton and His Family and another of the Earl and Countess of Strafford and Their Family. These paintings showed his skill in capturing many people in one scene.
His Final Years
Gawen Hamilton passed away in 1737. He was buried at St Paul's, Covent Garden on October 28, 1737.
