George Gower, c. (1540–1596)

• Was an English portrait painter.

• He was a grandson of Sir John Gower of Stittenham, North Yorkshire.

• His earliest documented works are the two 1573 companion portraits of Sir Thomas Kytson and his wife Lady Kytson.

• Gower is also famous for painting the Plimpton "Sieve" Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in 1579, now at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

• The sieve that Elizabeth carries signifies the Roman vestal virgin Tuccia, who carried water in a sieve to prove her chastity, thus representing Elizabeth's status as a virgin queen.

• 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 and the astronomical clock, at Hampton Court Palace.

• He also inspected portraits of the Queen by other artists prior to their official release. 

• Gower died in London.

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