About this artwork
Jamesone's self-portrait reflects his professional success and status. He holds his palette and brushes while pointing to paintings, mainly portraits, on the wall behind. These include a landscape and seascape, and a large mythological painting identified as the 'Chastisement of Cupid'. Although Jamesone is not known to have painted such subjects, they do not seem to represent the work of another artist, and may be understood in relation to the still-life objects below. The hour glass, suit of armour and skull symbolise the transience of life. The implication may be that the painter (and his patrons) will live on through his work.
Updated before 2020
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artist:George Jamesone (1589/90 - 1644) Scottish
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title:George Jamesone, 1589 / 1590 - 1644. Portrait painter (Self-portrait)
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date created:About 1642
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:72.00 x 87.40 cm; Framed: 94.00 x 109.30 x 13.30 cm / 25.00 kg
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1976
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accession number:PG 2361
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gallery:
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depicted:
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subject:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
George Jamesone
George Jamesone
Born in Aberdeen, the portrait painter George Jamesone was the son of a master-mason. He was apprenticed to the decorative painter, John Anderson of Edinburgh, in 1612. His earliest patrons were the merchants and academics of Aberdeen, but he soon became the painter to the nobility of the north...