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Douglas Carpenter on Miniature art
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Colonel
Thomas Pinckney, Jr., (1780-1842), 1801, by Edward Greene Malbone
(1777-1807), watercolour on ivory.
Gibbs Museum
of Art
One of the oldest and finest collections of miniature
portraits in the country (U.S.) is on display. The collection of more
than 500 works ranges from the earliest miniatures produced in
Charleston in 1740 to 20th century artists such as Leila Waring.
It reveals the vitality of the art form during the early decades
of the 19th century, and includes portraits by James Peale, Edward
Greene Malbone and Charleston's foremost artist of the period,
Charles Fraser. Below is an example of what is often on view.
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Mrs.
Thomas Pinckney, Jr. (Eliza Izard, 1784-1862), 1801, by Edward
Greene Malbone (1777-1807), watercolour on ivory.
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General
John McPherson (1756-1806), by Edward Greene Malbone (1777-1807),
watercolour on ivory.
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Tea (A Cup of Tea, Dorothy Thomson Waring), 1923, by
Leila Waring (1876-1964), watercolour on ivory. Leila Waring
actively promoted a re-birth of this 18th and 19th century style
portraiture. While many of Waring's miniatures are of family
members, she also undertook commissions from other Charlestonians
and from visitors to the city. Her style reflects a preference for
a light palette, visual brushwork and informal poses. |
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Miniature by John Downman, A.R.A 1750-1824
Portrait of Punell Bransby Cooper aged 5
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Joseph Mallord William Turner
by Joseph Mallord William Turner
Medium: watercolour, oval
Measurements: 95 mm x 70 mm
1790
National Portrait
Gallery
St Martin's Place
London WC2H OHE
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The Portrait Miniature in England
Amazon UK
Reviews
Synopsis
This account of the development of English miniature painting features
masterpieces from the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. The portrait
miniature is a unique art form with its own techniques, painters and
history. One of its greatest exponents, Nicholas Hilliard, called it
a "thing apart from other painting", and within the history
of Western art it stands as a particularly English contribution with
a flourishing life for nearly 400 years. Miniatures were painted to
be viewed and held closely, to be given away as tokens of loyalty and
love. The book offers insights into the society which allowed the art
of the miniaturist to flourish and develop, and takes a fresh look at
these delicate works, revealing aspects usually hidden from view and
details which show the techniques used by artists to achieve their effects.
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