Gavin Hamilton (1723-98)
Hamilton, a Scot, was an archaeologist, and art and antiquities dealer, who became familiar to Grand Tourists as he led expeditions to the on-going excavations or organised the acquisition of Roman 'plunder'. He was also a successful artist, painting classical subjects which incorporated figures derived from ancient sculpture. Paintings such as Hamilton's The Oath of Brutus, depicting the essential patriotic principles of neo-classicism, were popular subjects for artists. Hamilton also earned a living painting portraits of Grand Tourists.
