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bronze plaque · Aberdeen

George Jamesone

Photograph at the George Jamesone bronze plaque
Photograph via Wikipedia (George Jamesone, CC BY-SA).

This plaque commemorates George Jamesone, widely considered to be Scotland's first prominent portrait painter. Born around 1587 and passing away in 1644, Jamesone carved out a significant place in Scottish art history through his distinctive work in portraiture. His artistic contributions marked an important period in the development of painting within Scotland, establishing a legacy that would influence subsequent generations of artists. The memorial serves to honour his pioneering role and enduring impact on the nation's cultural landscape. Through his artistry, Jamesone captured the likenesses of many notable figures of his time, providing a valuable visual record.

The period in which George Jamesone lived and worked was one of considerable change and development across Scotland and Europe. His career as a painter coincided with an era when portraiture was gaining increasing importance, both as a means of recording individuals and as a form of artistic expression. The demand for such works among the Scottish gentry and aristocracy provided fertile ground for Jamesone's talents to flourish. His emergence as a significant artist reflects a broader trend of cultural growth during the 17th century, laying foundations for the artistic traditions that would continue to evolve in Scotland.

The plaque dedicated to George Jamesone is located in Aberdeen, specifically at 22 Schoolhill. Visitors can find this bronze plaque affixed to a building, allowing for easy viewing from the public thoroughfare. The site is situated within the urban environment of Aberdeen, making it accessible for those exploring the city. Observing the plaque offers an opportunity for quiet reflection on Jamesone's historical artistic contributions in the very city connected to his life. No special access arrangements are typically required for viewing this public memorial.

Inscription

“George Jamesone 1588-1644 artist”
Transcribed from the bronze plaque at 22 Schoolhill.

Background

George Jamesone, a Scottish painter born around 1587, is recognised as Scotland's very first prominent portrait artist. His contributions to the art world marked a significant point in Scottish artistic history, establishing a legacy through his skilled depictions.

Jamesone pursued his artistic career through to his death in 1644. While specific details of his life and works may be subjects of continued interest, his standing as a pioneering figure in Scottish portraiture remains a key part of his remembrance.

Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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