18th century portrait miniature of a young lady
18th century portrait miniature of a young lady
7781
An ebony-framed 18th century portrait miniature of a young lady, circa 1770.
Miniature portraits became fashionable in Europe from the 16th century, reaching their height of popularity during the Georgian and Regency periods. Painted with extraordinary delicacy, they typically depict a sitter's head and shoulders in watercolour on ivory, vellum or card.
Before photography, miniatures provided an intimate and portable likeness of loved ones and were often exchanged as tokens of affection, friendship or remembrance. Many were mounted in gold lockets, brooches or small frames, sometimes incorporating locks of hair.
Georgian examples are particularly prized for their fine detail, subtle colouring and elegant costume, offering a wonderfully personal glimpse into lives of the past.
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