George Gower
c. 1540-1596 Englan/ Portraitist-Serjeant Painter
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Brief Biography-Elizabeth I selected the portraitist George Gower as Serjeant Painter in 1581. He sometimes worked alongside the limner Nicholas Hilliard. A Serjeant Painter’s duty was to paint and guild banners in Royal residences and inspect portraits by other artists before being presented. The Serjeant was also permitted to paint portraits of nobility. Hillard was only allowed to paint portrait miniatures, but it was considered a step above easel painting. |
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