George Jamesone (1589/1590–1644)

• Was a Scottish painter.
• He was born in Aberdeen, where his father, Andrew Jamesone, was a stonemason.

• Jamesone did complete an apprenticeship under the supervision of his uncle, John Anderson.

• Jamesone finished this training in 1618.

• While in Aberdeen, Jamesone made a name for himself painting portraits of local academics and scholars from the city.

• In 1633, when Charles I made his grand royal visit to Edinburgh, Jamesone rose from local to national fame.  

• The painter was asked to decorate a highly elaborate triumphal arch with the portraits of all the past kings of Scotland.

• He was also given the honour of painting the portrait of Charles himself.

• It has been said that the king was so pleased with the result that he gave Jamesone a ring off his own finger as a reward.

• After hearing of the King's approval, many of the Scottish gentry desired to be painted by the now highly reputable George Jamesone.

• Jamesone had homes and studios in Aberdeen (on Schoolhill opposite St. Nicholas Kirk) and in Edinburgh (on the Royal Mile right next door to John Knox House). 

• Having two bases allowed him to meet the demands of hundreds of patrons from the north to the south of the country. 

• Jamesone died in Edinburgh in 1644 and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in the centre of the city.

• Jamesone's pupil was John Michael Wright.

• Although Jamesone had several children with his young Aberdonian wife Isabella Tosche, only one lived to adulthood.

• This was his youngest daughter Mary. 

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