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Not currently on display at the V&A

Miniature

ca. 1715 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Christian Friedrich Zincke was born in Dresden where he was apprenticed to his goldsmith father. In 1706 the important enameller Charles Boit invited him to London to work in his studio. Thereafter, Zincke remained in London, becoming the most successful enamel painter of his time and employing apprentices who then went on to have success of their own.

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 copper, gold and glass frame
Brief description
Enamel miniature on copper, possibly of Admiral George Churchill, in a gold frame, England, ca. 1715, by Christian Frederick Zincke.
Physical description
Oval miniature portrait of a gentleman, possibly Admiral George Churchill, wearing a mauve coat, a white cravat and a light brown wig. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is of gold and glass.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.1cm
  • Width: 6.4cm
  • Depth: 1.1cm
Measured 29/01/24 IW
Marks and inscriptions
  • Signed with monogram 'CFZ'.
  • Later ink inscription 'John Churchill / Duke of / Marlborough / C F Zinke' (On counter enamel)
Gallery label
  • 6. Possibly Admiral George Churchill About 1715 Zincke was born in Dresden, where he was apprenticed to his father (a goldsmith). In 1706 Charles Boit invited him to work in London, where he became a successful enamel painter. England; Christian Friedrich Zincke (about 1683–1767) Enamel on copper in gold-rim frame Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.285-2008(16/11/2016)
  • Possibly Admiral George Churchill About 1715 Christian Friedrich Zincke was born in Dresden where he was apprenticed to his goldsmith father. In 1706 Charles Boit invited him to London to work in his studio. Zincke remained in London, becoming the most successful enamel painter of his time. England; Christian Friedrich Zincke (about 1683–1767) Enamel on copper in gold-rim frame Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.285-2008(2009)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: W.W. Aston. S.J. Phillips, 01/06/1996.
Summary
Christian Friedrich Zincke was born in Dresden where he was apprenticed to his goldsmith father. In 1706 the important enameller Charles Boit invited him to London to work in his studio. Thereafter, Zincke remained in London, becoming the most successful enamel painter of his time and employing apprentices who then went on to have success of their own.

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 references
  • 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. 65, pp. 114-115. ISBN 0856675334.
  • Exhibition of Portrait Miniatures, London : Burlington Fine Arts Club, 1889 17
Other numbers
  • 1998.24.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 62 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.791.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 26 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.285-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
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