Portrait of General Hon. Edmund Phipps (1760-1837)
Miniature
ca. 1800 (painted)
ca. 1800 (painted)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In the late 18th century a new sister art and rival to miniature portraits appeared. Since about 1700 miniaturists had worked on ivory, and before that on vellum (animal skin). Up to the late 18th century, watercolour was used mainly by topographic artists, who applied it on paper to tint their drawings. But as watercolour painting developed as an art in its own right, miniaturists saw that working on paper was easier, and so quicker and cheaper. They could thus attract new patrons. Many now widened their repertoire and developed types of watercolour portraits on paper or card. They produced elegant graphite drawings, either tinted lightly with a watercolour wash or with the sitter's head painted minutely in watercolour.
This portrait by William Wood is an example of the later type. The body has been quickly sketched and the head finished in striking detail. Paper, however, can quickly discolour and degrade, unlike the more expensive vellum or ivory.
This portrait by William Wood is an example of the later type. The body has been quickly sketched and the head finished in striking detail. Paper, however, can quickly discolour and degrade, unlike the more expensive vellum or ivory.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Portrait of General Hon. Edmund Phipps (1760-1837) (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | Graphite and watercolour on paper |
Brief description | Portrait on paper of General Hon. Edmund Phipps (1760-1837), by William Wood (1769-1810).; Wood, William |
Physical description | Portrait miniature |
Dimensions |
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Subject depicted | |
Summary | In the late 18th century a new sister art and rival to miniature portraits appeared. Since about 1700 miniaturists had worked on ivory, and before that on vellum (animal skin). Up to the late 18th century, watercolour was used mainly by topographic artists, who applied it on paper to tint their drawings. But as watercolour painting developed as an art in its own right, miniaturists saw that working on paper was easier, and so quicker and cheaper. They could thus attract new patrons. Many now widened their repertoire and developed types of watercolour portraits on paper or card. They produced elegant graphite drawings, either tinted lightly with a watercolour wash or with the sitter's head painted minutely in watercolour. This portrait by William Wood is an example of the later type. The body has been quickly sketched and the head finished in striking detail. Paper, however, can quickly discolour and degrade, unlike the more expensive vellum or ivory. |
Bibliographic reference | Summary Catalogue of Miniatures in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Haslemere: Emmett Microform, 1981 |
Collection | |
Accession number | 70-1900 |
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Record created | July 8, 2003 |
Record URL |
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