About this artwork

This pastel portrait of Gavin Hamilton was made while Skirving was living in Rome. Hamilton was born in Lanarkshire but became a permanent resident of the city in 1756. As well as painting huge historical canvases of classical scenes, he worked as a dealer and an archaeologist, persuading rich British aristocrats to buy important pieces of antique sculpture. He was extremely helpful to young artists, especially fellow Scots, who travelled to Italy to study.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Gavin Hamilton, 1723 - 1798. Artist
  • date created:
    About 1788
  • materials:
    Pastel on paper
  • measurements:
    61.00 x 48.70 cm (framed: 74.93 x 65.40 x 6.04 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by Mrs Leila Hoskins 1981
  • accession number:
    PG 2472
  • gallery:
  • depicted:
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Archibald Skirving

Archibald Skirving