About Portrait Miniatures
The antecendent to the type of portrait miniatures showcased throughout this site are those that first appeared in illuminated manuscripts. Artists in the late 15th and early 16th century begain to employ the techniques used in illuminated manuscripts to create small, portable portraits orginally referred to as "limnings," with the term "miniature" emerging in popularity in the 18th century (Langston). While it is easy to assume that the term "miniature" refers to the generally small size of the portraits, the term actually derives from the Italian miniare, or "to color with red lead," the common method of stylizing the first letters on pages of illuminated manuscripts (Zack).
Originating in French and English courts in the 1520s, the practice of collecting portrait miniatures began in the court of Francois I and then took root among the social practices of Henry VIII and his courtiers. Henry employed the skills of Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497-1543) to create miniatures of himself and prospective brides, further entrenching the artform into English society. Portrait miniatures also served an importat diplomatic function, as the monarch could publicly gift them to symbolize favor within the court. Miniatures would continue to flourish in Engalnd under Elizabeth I, who saw a similary political use in them as her father did, but also valued them for their ability to convey intimacy. Elizabeth I kept her miniature collection locked within her bedchamber, signalling her awareness of both the public and private realms miniatures occupy, and her personal inclination to maintain that privacy (Zack). It was also under Elizabeth I that Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) and Isaac Oliver (1556-1617), early great painters of the English Renaissance and particular favorites of the Queen's, first rose to prominence (Faraday). Miniatures were largely adopted by courtiers as symbols of love, loyalty, and friendship.
Early portrait miniatures were often painted on vellum with watercolor, but in the 18th century the materials used began to change. Venetian painter Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757) popularized the innovation of painting miniatures on invory, and this practice soon spread throughout Europe (Wall). A renewd interested and wider market for portarit miniatures kept the artform going throughout the 18th century, particularly in England. Their popularity also spread to American colonies, where oil painters took up the practice and created miniature versions their larger portraits. By the end of the 18th century, European and British miniaturists were traveling to the United States to paint citizens of newly formed country (Barratt). Ultimately, the popularity and market for portrait miniatures declined throughout the 19th century with the advent of photography.
Works Cited
Barratt, Carrie Rebora. "American Portrait Miniatures of the 18th Century." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY. October, 2003.
Faraday, Christina J. "Little Britain - the Elizabethan Passion for Portrait Miniatures." Apollo Magazine, April, 2019.
Langston, Jo. "A Brief Introduction to Portrait Miniatures." Christie's, February, 2022.
Wall, Rebecca. "Media in Focus: Portrait Miniatures." Art Web, December, 2020.
Zack, Susanne. "History in Your Hand - A Guide to Collecting Portrait Miniatures." Chiswick Auctions, 2017.