Self portrait with Ambrose Patterson, Amy Lambert and Hugh Ramsay c.1901-03

In 1900, George W Lambert travelled to Europe as the inaugural recipient of the coveted New South Wales Travelling Scholarship, accompanied by his new bride Amy. The pair met painter Hugh Ramsay during the sea voyage, and later befriended fellow expatriate painter Ambrose Patterson while Lambert and Ramsay were studying in Paris. In this tableau, the artist and his circle appear as allegorical figures from history and literature. Reading from left to right, we see Lambert, Patterson, Amy and Ramsay. The identity of fifth figure is uncertain, although possible subjects include Australian painter Arthur Streeton, writer Arthur Adams or English painter Cecil Rae. While the painting is dated 1903, it was likely commenced in 1901 as Amy gave birth to her first son, Maurice, in June of that year.