Miniature
1688 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Pierre Huaut came from a family of enamellers in Geneva. In 1685 he left for Berlin, and in 1691 was appointed miniature painter to Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg. Considered the most talented of his family, he worked not only in enamel but also painted miniatures in watercolour on vellum.
In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. This enamel portraiture in miniature was a truly international art. Many enamellers travelled in order to find new markets, while others migrated to escape religious persecution. Enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. This enamel portraiture in miniature was a truly international art. Many enamellers travelled in order to find new markets, while others migrated to escape religious persecution. Enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamel on gold and gold enamelled, openwork frame |
| Brief description | Enamel miniature on gold, in an openwork frame, Geneva, 1688, by Pierre Haut. |
| Physical description | Oval miniature bust length portrait of a lady with long curling fair hair wearing a yellow dress and a blue cloak. The miniature is enamel on gold and the frame is of gold and enamel with openwork decoration. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Signed, located and dated 'petrus Huaud. major-natus / pinxit Geneue / 1688 (On the counter enamel) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance: S. Richards Collection, Nottingham. H.I. Collection. Frame Collection, Boulton, lot 77, 12/12/1911. Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore. Walters sale, 06/03/1913. Mrs Henry Walters, New York, sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, lot 791, 03/12/1943. Sale, Sotheby's New York, lot 250, 24/06/1987. |
| Summary | Pierre Huaut came from a family of enamellers in Geneva. In 1685 he left for Berlin, and in 1691 was appointed miniature painter to Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg. Considered the most talented of his family, he worked not only in enamel but also painted miniatures in watercolour on vellum. In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. This enamel portraiture in miniature was a truly international art. Many enamellers travelled in order to find new markets, while others migrated to escape religious persecution. Enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
| Bibliographic reference | Coffin, Sarah and Bodo Hofstetter. Portrait Miniatures in Enamel. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd. in association with the Gilbert Collection, 2000. 168 p., ill. Cat. no. 27, pp. 75-76. ISBN 0856675334. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.300-2008 |
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| Record created | June 26, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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