Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Gawen Goodman of Ruthin (1526–1604)

Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Gawen Goodman (1526–1604) is shown in a ruff and cap, wearing a gold chain and a memorial ring, and holding a psalter inscribed ‘Psalmes’. The date of the painting (ANATV XPI/1582) and the age of the sitter (ANNO ETATIS SVE 56) are accompanied by several mottoes: ‘Deum timere’ (Fear God); ‘Sobris iuste vite’ (a Sober life); ‘Iesus est amor meus’ (Jesus is my love) and ‘Laurea desidie prebeture nylla’ (Let him not be estimated by laurelled or literary sloth). The skull in the niche is accompanied by the inscription ‘COGITA Mori’ (Remember Death). An ode by the Welsh poet and adventurer Thomas Prys (1564–1634) includes a description of Gawen's character: 'If he once gets at the wines of a town, he'll not come home without tripping: well I know how he can drink his share; If there's sack to be had, he'll not put up with gruel.

Title

Gawen Goodman of Ruthin (1526–1604)

Date

1582

Medium

oil on panel

Measurements

H 49.5 x W 42 cm

Accession number

NMW A 3453

Acquisition method

bequeathed by the Honourable Mrs Lawrence Brodrick, 1930

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

A NATV XPI 1582

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

National Museum Cardiff

Cathays Park, Cardiff (Caerdydd) CF10 3NP Wales

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue