Portrait miniature

A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache or watercolor.

Related Topics:
Portrait - Painting - Gouache - Watercolor

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Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th-century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was especially valuable in introducing people to each other over distances; a nobleman proposing the marriage of his daughter might send a courier with her portrait to visit potential suitors. Soldiers and sailors might carry miniatures of their loved ones while travelling, or a wife might keep one of her husband while he was away.

Related Topics:
16th-century - Europe - 17th - 18th centuries - Noble - Soldier - Sailor

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The first miniaturists used watercolor to paint on stretched vellum, but in the 18th century, miniatures were also painted on ivory and enamel. As small in size as 40 mm × 30 mm (1½ in × 1¼ in), portrait miniatures were often used as personal mementos or as jewelry or snuff box covers.

Related Topics:
18th century - Ivory - Enamel - Jewelry - Snuff box

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In the second half of the 19th century, the development of daguerreotypes and photographs contributed to the decline in popularity of the miniatures.

Related Topics:
19th century - Daguerreotype - Photograph

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