Quayside Gallery


Take your place in history


If you click on the image, you will see a remarkable example of history in the re-making. This is a photograph of a specially commissioned painting by Nell Game to celebrate a client's 40th birthday. All that was required to start the commission was a good facial likeness and a print of Queen Elizabeth I.

Features to look out for are:-

Base reference: an Elizabethan image was chosen, and the "sieve" portrait of the Queen was selected as a suitable model.
Latin script: substituted date of celebration, name, and age.

Heraldic shield: the heraldic shield is that of Chislehurst where the client lives.
Jewellery: include her birthstones and her own wedding ring. Her Zodiac sign is incorporated on the necklace. The male and female signs on pendants at the waist include her son's and daughter's initials.
Flower: she is holding her birth flower in her right hand
Tapestry: her hobby is tapestry, and she holds an example in her left hand. This in turn features cats, which are her favourite pets.

Overall: the dimensions of the portrait are approximately 75 x 100cm (30" x 40")

Nell Game is available to take new commissions of this type, using any chosen historical model. All that is needed in addition is a good photograph and an agreed list of features to be incorporated. The result would make a splendid present for a special occasion.

Please ask us for further details.

The service we can offer could include:-

1. Actual History (genealogy)

Research of a family name in order to identify either specific details, such as heraldic shields, origins of family name or place of origin, or a more comprehensive search to include precise ancestry. We would try to ascertain whether the client could trace his/her lineage to a particular historical individual, or relate the individual to a specific event happening at the time that the ancestory was pinpointed - for example, a battle, a new era (Tudor, Stuart, etc), an exploration, a discovery, an invention, the Reformation, engineering, a church event, an execution.

2. Fantasy History

Would involve identification of a particular historical figure with whom the client would like to be identified and used as a model for the painting eg Queen Elizabeth I (as in the example), Pope Pious X, Richard III, Joan of Arc, etc.

3. Costumes and sittings

For either of the above, we will source the appropriate costume, arrange sittings for photographic sessions and direct photography, or, if necessary, arrange for live sittings.

4. Sketches

An outline sketch will be submitted for the client's approval, at which time amendments may be made. At this stage, when the size of the finished work has been finalised, we will also advise on appropriate framing and commission this if required.

5. Terms

Because the paintings are built up in a traditional way, in layers, and with very fine brush strokes, intended to last for generations, the work is priced to reflect this effort. It is anticipated that each average commission would take an elapsed time of around 3 months.

All commissions would need to be discussed on an individual basis, and we will submit a proposal to each client covering the details of the commission, including estimated timescales, prices and terms.

Please contact us at:-

Quayside Gallery

7 The Quay, St Ives, Cambridge PE17 4AR, England

Telephone: 01480 464746 Fax: 01480 466216

International: (+44) 1480 464746 Fax: (+44) 1480 466216

e-mail address: gallery@clara.net

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