Do Paintings exist in Westeros?

[FC_Lymond]

I was thinking about this the other day.

There are many references to statues in the books. They go into the Winterfell crypts to look at the images of their ancestors for instance.

Things like coats of arms are painted on shields.

There are plenty of references to singers and musicians. I don't remember any talk of artists?

But I don't remember any references to paintings in the books or show. Do they exist?

[Blood of the Flagon]

they hang tapestries instead i suppose. Tanselle too tall paints dunk's shield and some woman at maiden pool paints brienne's.

[Fat Mac]

Yes, I believe Renly had a locket or something with Margaery's likeness painted inside it.

[thewingedwolf]

Paintings do exist, although tapestries seem to be far more common. I believe there is also a mention that the shields in the Hall at Castle Black were painted black to cover the former sigils that were on them so I would say it does but probably in a fairly limitative manner.

[Ran]

Miniature paintings in the "Myrish style" are the only clear examples of formal painting in the setting. Large-scale portraiture seems to be done with tapestry.

But paint exists, and of course is used to paint shields, tavern signs, etc.

[the Hemp Knight]

Paintings do exist, although tapestries seem to be far more common. I believe there is also a mention that the shields in the Hall at Castle Black were painted black to cover the former sigils that were on them so I would say it does but probably in a fairly limitative manner.

The shields in the Hall of Shields were not painted black, they were hung, sigils and all (to represent putting aside their old allegiance) for Knights in service to the watch and that hall was specifically for their use. When a knight died his shield was taken down.

[thewingedwolf]

The shields in the Hall of Shields were not painted black, they were hung, sigils and all (to represent putting aside their old allegiance) for Knights in service to the watch and that hall was specifically for their use. When a knight died his shield was taken down.

Good point, thanks for clarifying, I always get those two mixed up. :)

[Fire Eater]

In Sunspear hung a portrait of the Princess Daenerys who had come to Dorne to marry one of Arianne’s forebears.

[Ran]

The Darry tapestries of the Targaryen kings are also called portraits in the text, so that's inconclusive.

[TheWizard]

The Darry tapestries of the Targaryen kings are also called portraits in the text, so that's inconclusive.

Whats the difference. When someone says tapestries i think of a painting ?

[The Old Tongue]

Whats the difference. When someone says tapestries i think of a painting ?

well, tapestry is essentially figurative weaving...on a loom, painting is applying pigmented liquid to a surface.

[TheWizard]

well, tapestry is essentially figurative weaving...on a loom, painting is applying pigmented liquid to a surface.

ahhh i see thank you

[louzeyre]

Tapestries also act as insulation in castles (that's why they were so prevalent in actual medieval and early modern castles and homes), so I suspect that's why they are hung in so many places and therefore why we hear about them so often.

[Jon Blackfyre]

Whats the difference. When someone says tapestries i think of a painting ?

As a side note, your profile pic is awesome. Deathsquad represent! Now that is some artwork worth hanging up, haha

[Don Roberto]

Well, when Jaime is reading the White Book, he reflects that whenever a new knight takes the white, a new page is written about him, and they have to wait for a septon from the Great Sept to come, three times a year, to draw and paint the coat-of-arms. If there truly were paintings and artists all over Westeros, would be much simpler to just hire one, instead of waiting months for a septon's visit.

So there probably exists none, aside from shield painting, which is more craft than art.

[FC_Lymond]

Whats the difference. When someone says tapestries i think of a painting ?

Paintings and portraits played a large role late medieval Europe. Lords filled their houses with pictures of their ancestors. The many portraits of Henry VIII and Elizabeth are quite famous. I just found it interesting that there is almost no such thing in Westeros.

[Lord Varys]

There is a painting of the first Daenerys in Sunspear. No idea if that's an oil painting, a tapestry, or something else.

[Ran]

That's been cited earlier, but is just called a portrait, and that term has been used for tapestries previously. So, inconclusive.

[The hairy bear]

In the Sworn Sword, Dunk wears robes with his tree and falling star painted instead of sewn. Rohanne points out that this is a Dornish fashion.

So at least they are known to paint pictures on cloth.

[The Old Tongue]

In the Sworn Sword, Dunk wears robes with his tree and falling star painted instead of sewn.

Rohanne points out that this is a Dornish fashion.

typical Dornish