A Man, called Sir Arundel Talbot
Portrait Miniature
1596 (painted)
1596 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Isaac Oliver learned miniature painting techniques from Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619), probably around 1587, but had undoubtedly already had some training in art on the Continent. This miniature of Sir Arundel Talbot dating from 1596 is inscribed with a note by Oliver explaining that it was painted when he was in Venice. This visit to Italy was unusual for an English artist, but it is notable that Oliver signed the work "Francese IO", emphasising his French birth. Oliver's knowledge of Continental art is apparent in a number of his miniatures.
This work shows what might have been achieved after two of the three customary sittings, working directly onto the vellum. The features have begun to be modelled over the carnation colour, using hatches of red and brown, but more detail is needed. The card support for the miniature has not been trimmed, and details of Talbot’s outfit are incomplete.
This work shows what might have been achieved after two of the three customary sittings, working directly onto the vellum. The features have begun to be modelled over the carnation colour, using hatches of red and brown, but more detail is needed. The card support for the miniature has not been trimmed, and details of Talbot’s outfit are incomplete.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | A Man, called Sir Arundel Talbot (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on vellum stuck to a playing card, with clipped corners |
| Brief description | Portrait miniatue of a man, called Sir Arundel Talbot, watercolour on vellum, painted by Isaac Oliver, 1596. |
| Physical description | Portrait miniature of a man, half-length, wearing a black doublet; oval portrait held in an octangonal frame with a loop at the top. An inverted heart is visible on the reverse of the support |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Portrait of a man, head and shoulders, turned slightly to right and looking to front; the sitter has a moustache and is wearing a white collar and a black doublet. |
| Styles | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Purchased with the assistance of the Captain H. B. Murray Bequest |
| Object history | Provenance: W. G. Eden, 253 Cromwell Road from whom it was purchased by Messrs. Durlacher, 12th February 1909; sold from the H. P. Pfungst collection, Christie’s 14th June 1917 (lot 57); acquired by the V&A under the Capt H. B. Murray Bequest. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Isaac Oliver learned miniature painting techniques from Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619), probably around 1587, but had undoubtedly already had some training in art on the Continent. This miniature of Sir Arundel Talbot dating from 1596 is inscribed with a note by Oliver explaining that it was painted when he was in Venice. This visit to Italy was unusual for an English artist, but it is notable that Oliver signed the work "Francese IO", emphasising his French birth. Oliver's knowledge of Continental art is apparent in a number of his miniatures. This work shows what might have been achieved after two of the three customary sittings, working directly onto the vellum. The features have begun to be modelled over the carnation colour, using hatches of red and brown, but more detail is needed. The card support for the miniature has not been trimmed, and details of Talbot’s outfit are incomplete. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | P.4-1917 |
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| Record created | January 6, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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