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.
Click on the images below to see larger versions
Hans Holbein, 1497-1543
Hans Holbein 1497-1543
Portrait of Jane Small, born Pemberton
About 1540
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a playing card
Inscribed on either side of her head in Latin, 'In the 23rd year of her age'
Museum no. P.40-1935
Purchased with funds from the Captain H.B. Murray Bequest, Viscount Bearsted and the National Art Collections Fund
Jane and her husband Nicholas Small, a wealthy merchant, lived in the neighbouring parish to Hans Holbein in London.
There is also a view of the reverse showing the playing card backing
British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
31 March–12 August 2012
Showcasing over 300 British design objects, this exhibition celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the summer of 2012.
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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.
Buy nowEvent - Create! Portrait Photography
Sat 14 January 2012–Sat 10 March 2012
YOUNG PEOPLE’S EVENT: Develop your digital photography skills, with a professional portrait photographer. Find out how to set up lighting for shoots. Discover how to take photos to capture the character of a person.
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