Nicholas Hilliard, portrait of an unknown man clasping a hand from a cloud

Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619)
Portrait of an unknown man clasping a hand from a cloud
1588
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a piece of later card
Inscribed either side of his head in Latin, 'Attici amoris ergo'(which has never been satisfactorily translated or explained) and 'Year of Our Lord 1588'
Museum no. P.21-1942
Passed with the collection of Sir Hans Sloane to the British Museum in 1754
Transferred to the V&A in 1939

Nicholas Hilliard, portrait of an unknown woman of the city

Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619)
Portrait of an unknown woman of the city
1602
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to pasteboard; in its original turned ivory box (lid missing)
Inscribed either side of her head in Latin, 'It seems and truly is'/ 'Year of Our Lord 1602'
Museum no. P.26-1975
Bequeathed by Mrs Doris Herschorn

This woman is not from the court. Her distinctive tall black hat suggests she was probably the wife of a Freeman of the City of London.

Nicholas Hilliard, portrait of an unknown woman

Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619)
Portrait of an unknown woman
About 1590-3
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a playing card
Museum no. P.9-1947
Given by E. Peter Jones

Hilliard developed a technique for painting pearls with real silver. Unfortunately, it usually tarnishes to black, as can be seen clearly in this miniature.

Isaac Oliver, portrait of an unknown woman

Isaac Oliver (about 1560-1617)
Portrait of an unknown woman
About 1596-1600
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to plain card pasteboard
Signed bottom left 'IO' in monogram
Museum no. P.12-1971
Purchased with funds from the National Art Collections Fund and the Pilgrim Trust

This sitter has traditionally been called 'Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset'. The formerly tarnished silver has been retouched.

Isaac Oliver, portrait of an unknown man

Isaac Oliver (about 1560-1617)
Portrait of an unknown man, aged 27
1590
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to pasteboard
Inscribed either side of his head in Latin, 'Year of Our Lord 1590'/ 'At the age of 27'
Museum no. P.37-1941
Given by Mrs Emma Joseph

Isaac Oliver, portrait of an unknown woman in masque costume

Isaac Oliver (about 1560-1617)
Portrait of an unknown woman in masque costume
About 1609
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to pasteboard
Signed to the right 'IO' in monogram
Musuem No p3-1942
Given by the National Art Collections Fund

This lady is wearing a costume probably designed for the Masque of Queens. This spectacular court event took place on 2 February 1609 with Anne of Denmark, wife of James I, leading the dancers.

Isaac Oliver, 'Head of Christ'

Isaac Oliver (about 1560-1617)
'Head of Christ'
Probably after 1610
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to pasteboard
Signed lower right 'IO' in monogram
Museum no. P.15-1931

In Protestant England religious subjects were unusual. This work is also remarkable for the soft-focus effect created by building up the image in tiny dots.

Isaac Oliver, portrait of an unknown man

Isaac Oliver (about 1560-1617)
Portrait of an unknown man
About 1590-1600
Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a card, possibly a tarot card
Signed lower left, 'IO' in monogram
Museum no. P.50-1941
Given by Mrs Emma Joseph