Art Collections Online

Edward Goodman wears a square cap and scarlet, fur-trimmed gown, fitting for a prosperous tradesman. His portrait is full of symbols which refer to the newly-established Protestant beliefs of that time. He holds a scroll inscribed ‘fferen pawb yn i galon’ (’Each man’s prayer is in his heart’). This refers to the core Protestant belief that all Christians should be allowed to praise God directly, rather than through a priest. Two mottoes also appear at the top right: ‘HEB DDVW HEB DDIM/ DVW A DIGON’ (‘Without God, without anything/ God is enough’). This is followed by 'BE HVMBL AND MEEKE/ SOBRIE IVSTE PIE' ('Be humble and meek/ Soberly, justly, piously’).