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Miniature - Sir Christopher Hatton

Sir Christopher Hatton

  • Object:

    Miniature

  • Place of origin:

    London (made)

  • Date:

    1588-1591 (painted)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Hilliard, Nicholas (artist)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Watercolour on vellum

  • Museum number:

    P.138-1910

  • Gallery location:

    British Galleries, room 57a, case 3

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Object Type
This miniature was a rare experiment by Hilliard of a full-length miniature on a minute scale. Hilliard was attempting to challenge his former pupil and rival Isaac Oliver. Unfortunately, it reveals Hilliard's ignorance of Renaissance laws of perspective since the lines of the table and window go impossibly in opposite directions to and from the vanishing point. Hilliard seems as uncomfortable with this format as Hatton does, the whole effect being unfortunately cramped and squat. It was clearly an unsuccessful format and was quickly abandoned.

People
Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor, rose rapidly in the Queen's favour, having first been Captain of the Guard in 1572. In this miniature he is shown wearing his robes of state and, as a Knight of the Order of the Garter, both its collar and on his left leg the garter itself. His ceremonial mace and seal bag are on the table to his right.

Ownership & Use
The dog at Hatton's feet was probably intended as a symbol of loyalty and it is possible that this miniature was intended for the Queen. Hatton in his youth was famed for his good looks and was one of the Queen's favourites. In old age she remained as devoted to her servant as he was to her.

Physical description

The dignity of Hatton's office as Lord Chancellor is conveyed by his attributes of authority; his robes of state, the Chain for the Order of the Garter, and the ceremonial mace.

Place of Origin

London

Date

1588-1591 (painted)

Artist/maker

Hilliard, Nicholas

Materials and Techniques

Watercolour on vellum

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 cm (framed)
Width: 5.5 cm (framed)
Height: 5.6 cm (sight)
Width: 4.4 cm (sight)

Dimensions checked: Measured; 31/05/2000 by KB

see diagram in file for loop and ring dimensions

Object history note

Painted in London by Nicholas Hilliard (born in Exeter, Devon, possibly 1547, died in London, 1619)

Descriptive line

Sir Christopher Hatton

Labels and date

British Galleries:
Nicholas Hilliard and Miniature Painting

Nicholas Hilliard trained as a goldsmith and developed painting techniques that exploited this training. He used metallic pigments to mimic the jewellery on the opulent clothes that were fashionable. Hilliard created the image of Elizabeth and her courtiers that we know today, but he never won a salaried position at court. He had to set up shop in the City of London. From there he painted anyone who could afford his services.

TWO ROYAL FAVOURITES

Hilliard's portrait of Robert Dudley (about 1532-1588) shows the dashing favourite of Elizabeth I, aged about 40. Dudley hoped to marry the young Queen and become King, but Elizabeth never married. Favourites such as Dudley and Christopher Hatton (1540-1591) were established political leaders. Hatton, as Lord Chancellor, chose to be painted in his robes of state.

Subjects depicted

Dog; Chairs; Costume; Tables (support furniture); Ceremonial Object, Mace; Hatton, Sir Christopher

Categories

Paintings; Portraits; British Galleries

Collection code

PDP

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Qr_O17839
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