The origin of the portrait miniature
Miniatures were first painted to decorate and illustrate hand-written books. Indeed, the word 'miniature' comes from the Latin word 'miniare'. This means 'to colour with red lead', a practice that was used for the capital letters.
From the 1460s hand-written books had to compete with printed books. At the same time, however, wealthy patrons demanded a wider range of luxury goods. Miniaturists such as Simon Bening continued to illustrate expensive books, but also offered patrons independent miniatures. Some were for private worship, others simply desirable objects.
Portrait miniatures first appeared in the 1520s, at the French and English courts. Like medals, they were portable, but they also had realistic colour. The earliest examples were painted by two Netherlandish miniaturists, Jean Clouet working in France and Lucas Horenbout in England.
Horenbout painted the family of Henry VIII, sometimes copying oil portraits in the royal apartments. He also taught the miniature technique to the king's portrait painter Hans Holbein.
Levina Teerlinc was the daughter of Simon Bening. She worked for the royal family and probably taught miniature painting to Nicholas Hilliard when he was still a goldsmith. With Hilliard, the portrait miniature became firmly established in English culture.
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The Portrait Miniature in England
A fascinating account of the development of English miniature painting featuring masterpieces from the V&A's collection.
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