Unknown man thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case RMC, Shelf 5, Box J

Unknown man

Portrait Miniature
ca. 1663-1670 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the last decades of the 17th century, a new form of small portraiture developed to challenge the dominance of the watercolour miniature portrait painted on vellum (fine animal skin). These small portraits became known as ‘plumbagos’ (plumbago is black lead), but the medium was in fact graphite. This delicate black-and-white portrait art originated in the print and book trades of the Netherlands in the late 16th century. Originally intended as preparatory drawings for prints, ‘plumbago’ drawings also demonstrated a printmaker's graphic skill, and they became desirable in their own right. Working on vellum rather than the more perishable paper, print-makers such as David Loggan offered works with the stature of miniature painting, but at a lower cost. Additionally, ‘plumbagos’ were more easily translatable into print form, providing the client with almost exact reproductions.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
read Portrait miniatures: other types of small portraiture Portrait miniatures first appeared in the 1520s at the courts of Henry VIII in England, and Francis I in France. These small portraits were painted in watercolour on vellum, and protected in lockets or small boxes, making it easy for them to be carried or even worn. The success of the port...

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleUnknown man (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Plumbago (graphite) on vellum
Brief description
Plumbago portrait miniature on vellum depicting an unknown man by David Loggan. Great Britain, ca. 1663-1670.
Physical description
Plumbago portrait miniature on vellum depicting an unknown man with long hair, wearing a lace collar and a thick coat.
Dimensions
  • Height: 128mm
  • Width: 105mm
Style
Summary
In the last decades of the 17th century, a new form of small portraiture developed to challenge the dominance of the watercolour miniature portrait painted on vellum (fine animal skin). These small portraits became known as ‘plumbagos’ (plumbago is black lead), but the medium was in fact graphite. This delicate black-and-white portrait art originated in the print and book trades of the Netherlands in the late 16th century. Originally intended as preparatory drawings for prints, ‘plumbago’ drawings also demonstrated a printmaker's graphic skill, and they became desirable in their own right. Working on vellum rather than the more perishable paper, print-makers such as David Loggan offered works with the stature of miniature painting, but at a lower cost. Additionally, ‘plumbagos’ were more easily translatable into print form, providing the client with almost exact reproductions.
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1927, London: Board of Education, 1928.
Collection
Accession number
P.18-1927

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 25, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest