George Gower facts for kids
George Gower was an English artist who lived from around 1540 to 1596. He was a very talented portrait painter. In 1581, he became the official painter to Queen Elizabeth I, a special job called Serjeant Painter.
About George Gower
We don't know much about George Gower's early life. We do know he came from a well-known family in North Yorkshire.
His first known paintings are two matching portraits from 1573. These show Sir Thomas Kytson and his wife, Lady Kytson. You can see these paintings today at the Tate Gallery in London.
In 1579, Gower painted a self-portrait (which means a picture of himself). In this painting, he showed his family's symbol, called a coat of arms. He also showed his painting tools. A special part of the painting shows a balance. On one side are his artist's tools, and on the other is his family symbol. The tools weigh more! This was a bold statement at the time. It showed that Gower believed his skill as an artist was more important than his family's status. Back then, painters were often seen as just skilled workers.
Gower is also famous for painting the "Sieve" Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in 1579. This painting is now at the Folger Shakespeare Library. In the picture, Queen Elizabeth holds a sieve. This sieve is a symbol from an old Roman story. It represents purity and honesty. It showed that Elizabeth was a "virgin queen," meaning she never married. The globe over her right shoulder shows her power as a leader over a growing empire.
Official Painter to the Queen
In 1581, George Gower was given the important job of Serjeant Painter to Queen Elizabeth. This meant he was the Queen's main artist. This special role allowed him to paint many important people in England.
His job also included painting decorations for royal homes. He painted things like coaches and furniture for the Queen. For example, he worked on a fountain and an astronomical clock at Hampton Court Palace. He also had to check any portraits of the Queen that other artists painted. This made sure they looked just right before they were shown to the public.
George Gower passed away in London in 1596.
Gallery
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Elizabeth I, the Plimpton Sieve Portrait -
Thomas Kytson -
Elizabeth Kytson née Cornwallis -
Mary Cornwallis -
Hon. Charles Somerset
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See also
