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Historical Artist - George Gower (1540 - 1596)
George Gower was a popular English portrait painter. Appointed to sergeant-painter to Queen
Elizabeth in 1581. His clean and distinctive style allowed him to paint most of England’s
upper class, including Sir Thomas Kyston and Lady Kyston. Gower also painted a self-portrait
that showed his coat of arms. Gower was appointed to the position of Serjeant Painter to Queen
Elizabeth in 1581. This allowed him to paint most of England’s aristocracy. The post also
made him responsible for painted decoration at the royal residences, and on coaches and
furniture. Among his works were a fountain (now destroyed) and the astronomical clock, both at
Hampton Court Palace. He also inspected portraits of the Queen by other artists prior to their
official release.Gower's best-known work is the version of the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth now
at Woburn Abbey, painted to commemorate the 1588 defeat of the Spanish Armada.
Contemporary United Kingdom Artists
Art Galleries in the United Kingdom
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