Art: Minatures


Figure 1.--This is clearly a English Regency miniature, although the precise date and name of the subject is unknown. We would guess that it was painted in the 1810s. Note how the noy's hair is done. The portrait was displayed a frame built with a stand.

Miniatures as the name implies are small paintings. Most were portraits, usually busts. They were executed in various media on a variety of grounds though more commonly on ivory. We notice minatures, especially in the 18th and early 19th century, but European society cultivated the art for over three centuries. Many skilled portraitists were in demand. Many artists specialized in minatures. By the early 18th century, the introduction of ivory revolutionized technical development. Miniatures appeared in North America in the 18th century providing less expensive and more personal alternatives to traditional portraiture. An American school soon became established. In Canada, the production of miniatures responded to a colonial elite, but not great enough to support a local school. It is inherent in miniature collections that identities of sitters and artists often remain uncertain. Minatures were small paintings, often busts of family members such as marriage partners and children. Traditionally miniature portraits were commissioned to portray potential brides or grooms to prospective spouses, as gifts exchanged amongst the aristocracy, or as symbols of political allegiance. However, they were also mementos of loved ones. Sizes varied, but some seem small enough to wear as jewlry. We believe some were worn as jewelry, but are not positive about this.

Minature Portraits

Miniatures as the name implies are small paintings. Most were portraits, usually busts.

Media

Miniatures were executed in various media such as vellum, prepared card, copper, or ivory. Many early miniatures were done on metal or enamel. By the early 18th century, the introduction of ivory revolutionized technical development. Ivory was said to be a more luminous surface when using tranparent paints. This helped create a new interest in miniatures..

Chromology

Miniature paintings were influenced by the medieval illuminated manuscript and the issuanes of medals. European society cultivated the art for over three centuries. Miniature painting began to become important as a destinctive school beginning in 16th century and ctinued through the mid 19th century. We notice minatures, especially in the 18th and early 19th century. After the mid-19th century, miniature paibntings were rapidly replace with photographs.

Artists

Many skilled portraitists were in demand. Quite a number of artists specialized in minatures. Some are quite famous. Some art historians identify the first miniatures as the work of the Flemish illuminators, especially the work of the Horenbout and Bening families, but this work is undated. More clearly dated work was by the French artist Jean Clouet working in Francis I's court. Lukas Horenbout painted miniatures in the court of King Henry VIII, painted the first portrait miniatures recorded in England. Perhaps the master of the art was Hans Holbein the Younger Horenbout taught. One of the most famous minaturists was the Irish artist Frederick Buck (1771-c.1839) who often painted on ivory. The name of the artists in most cases, however, are unknowmn.

Subjects

It is inherent in miniature collections that identities of sitters and artists often remain uncertain. Minatures were small paintings, often busts of family members such as marriage partners and children. Traditionally miniature portraits were commissioned to portray potential brides or grooms to prospective spouses, as gifts exchanged amongst the aristocracy, or as symbols of political allegiance. However, they were also mementos of loved ones.
Country Trends >p> Miniatures appeared in North America in the 18th century providing less expensive and more personal alternatives to traditional portraiture. An American school soon became established. In Canada, the production of miniatures responded to a colonial elite, but not great enough to support a local school.

Types

There were a variety of minatures and sizes varied. Many minatures were done to sit little stands or be diplayed on stands associated with small frames. These would then be placed in prominant places both in parlors and bed rooms. Some might sit omn mantels, pianos, currio cases, and other places. Smaller minatures might be dome as jelery for pendants, lockets, and pins. These were the smallest size minatures.






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Created: April 23, 2004
Last updated: April 23, 2004