| Inscription Content | Nameplate: Ganimede Painted at Rome by James Irvine (1786), Presented by Dr, Ogilvie Forbes, |
| Caption | Ganymede, in classical mythology, was a shepherd carried to Olympus by an eagle to be cup-bearer to Jupiter. This canvas, by the painter and art-dealer James Irvine of Drum, younger son of a staunchly-Jacobite Aberdeenshire family, was shown at the Royal Academy in London in 1787. The subject carries a particular meaning within the circles of virtuosi at Rome, many of whom were discreetly homosexual. A bas-relief of Ganymede is prominent in the background of a conversation-piece painted by Franciszek Smuglewicz in 1767, showing James Byres with members of his household, including his partner Christopher Norton.
https://exhibitions.abdn.ac.uk/university-collections/exhibits/show/jacobite-virtuosi/paintings |
"Ganymede, a legendary king of Troy of outstanding beauty, was carried off to Olympus by Jupiter in the guise of an eagle to be cup bearer to the Gods. Ganymede is here depicted with the accoutrements of his role and with Jupiter, as eagle, in the background. James Irvine (1757-1832) was a pupil of Gavin Hamilton in Rome and like his master was both history painter and art dealer."
Author: Morrison,John Date: 2002 Purpose: HA3541
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