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Not currently on display at the V&A

Miniature

1800-1805 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This technically impressive miniature, one of Kanz's largest enamels, was also one of his last. This prolific artist is known for his depictions of voluptuous women which were probably not actual portraits of real people.

The practice of painting portrait miniatures in enamels developed out of the decorative work of goldsmiths and watchmakers in the French cities of Blois, Châteaudun and Paris. Portrait plaques had been made in the enamelling workshops of Limoges in central France during the 16th century, but in the 1630s, Jean Toutin adapted existing techniques to make the subtle colouring and delicate detail of enamel miniatures possible. Small objects like watches or snuffboxes were ideally suited to this technique and many were decorated with portraits and mythological or allegorical scenes. Artists throughout Europe continually refined their approaches to painting enamel portraits. While 17th century enamellers used a very fine stipple to create light and shade in their miniatures, artists in the 18th century began to use larger brushstrokes for a more fluid effect.

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, engine-turned gold rim frame
Brief description
Enamel miniature on copper, in an engine-turned gold rim frame, Paris, 1800-1805, by Carl Christian Kanz.
Physical description
Oval portrait miniature depicting a young lady with dark curly hair wearing a plum coloured shawl, a white scarf and veil and a white, gold-trimmed dress revealing her breasts. The miniature is enamel on copper and the frame is of engine-turned gold.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.74cm
  • Width: 11.62cm
  • Approx depth: .75cm
  • With loop height: 14.5cm
Measure 22/01/24
Marks and inscriptions
Signed 'Kanz' (On the front)
Gallery label
Young woman 1800–5 This technically impressive miniature, one of Kanz’s largest enamels, was one of his last. This prolific artist is known for his depictions of voluptuous women which were probably not actual portraits of real people. Paris, France; Carl Christian Kanz (1758–after 1818) Enamel on copper in engine-turned gold-rim frame Signed on lower right ‘Kanz’ Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.250-2008(2009)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: D.S. Lavender, London, 01/10/1980.
Subject depicted
Summary
This technically impressive miniature, one of Kanz's largest enamels, was also one of his last. This prolific artist is known for his depictions of voluptuous women which were probably not actual portraits of real people.

The practice of painting portrait miniatures in enamels developed out of the decorative work of goldsmiths and watchmakers in the French cities of Blois, Châteaudun and Paris. Portrait plaques had been made in the enamelling workshops of Limoges in central France during the 16th century, but in the 1630s, Jean Toutin adapted existing techniques to make the subtle colouring and delicate detail of enamel miniatures possible. Small objects like watches or snuffboxes were ideally suited to this technique and many were decorated with portraits and mythological or allegorical scenes. Artists throughout Europe continually refined their approaches to painting enamel portraits. While 17th century enamellers used a very fine stipple to create light and shade in their miniatures, artists in the 18th century began to use larger brushstrokes for a more fluid effect.

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 reference
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. 33, pp. 80-81. ISBN 0856675334.
Other numbers
  • 1996.791.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 26 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.250-2008

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
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