Miniature
1747 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Whilst this jewelled portrait would have held personal significance for its owner, the practical side of its creation is revealed by the sitter's dress, which can be seen worn in other portraits. Like many painters, Spencer reused clothing and jewellery either from previous portraits or from items kept in the studio in order to ease the process for both artist and sitter.
In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. These enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s. Enamel portraits performed a wide variety of functions. They were often given as diplomatic gifts or awarded to recognise official service. Some celebrated historical figures, while others commemorated a marriage, or departed loved one. Sitters often commissioned enamel copies alongside an original portrait in oils, in order to have a more intimate and portable version in a robust material. Enamels could also be set into jewellery or extravagant boxes so that they could be worn or carried. Larger enamels were often displayed in elaborate frames.
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.
In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. These enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s. Enamel portraits performed a wide variety of functions. They were often given as diplomatic gifts or awarded to recognise official service. Some celebrated historical figures, while others commemorated a marriage, or departed loved one. Sitters often commissioned enamel copies alongside an original portrait in oils, in order to have a more intimate and portable version in a robust material. Enamels could also be set into jewellery or extravagant boxes so that they could be worn or carried. Larger enamels were often displayed in elaborate frames.
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, gold and pierced silver frame with foil-backed diamonds |
Brief description | Enamel miniature on copper, in a gold and pierced silver frame with diamonds, England, 1747, by Gervase Spencer. |
Physical description | Oval miniature bust length portrait of a lady with brown hair wearing a black dress with a blue bow and a dark red shawl. The miniature is enamel on copper and the gold rim frame has an open reverse with a silver and diamond pierced border. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | Signed and dated 'G. Spencer fecit / AD 1747' (On the counter enamel) |
Gallery label |
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Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
Object history | Provenance: Sale, Sotheby's London, lot 29, 16/12/1974. D.S. Lavender, London, 01/10/1981. Sale, Sotheby's London, lot 31, 01/05/1980. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Whilst this jewelled portrait would have held personal significance for its owner, the practical side of its creation is revealed by the sitter's dress, which can be seen worn in other portraits. Like many painters, Spencer reused clothing and jewellery either from previous portraits or from items kept in the studio in order to ease the process for both artist and sitter. In the 17th century, new techniques of painting enamels allowed delicate portraits resembling tiny oil paintings to be created. These enamel miniatures were first fashionable in continental Europe, but were particularly in vogue in Britain from the 1720s to 1760s. Enamel portraits performed a wide variety of functions. They were often given as diplomatic gifts or awarded to recognise official service. Some celebrated historical figures, while others commemorated a marriage, or departed loved one. Sitters often commissioned enamel copies alongside an original portrait in oils, in order to have a more intimate and portable version in a robust material. Enamels could also be set into jewellery or extravagant boxes so that they could be worn or carried. Larger enamels were often displayed in elaborate frames. 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. 54, p. 104. ISBN 0856675334. |
Other numbers |
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Collection | |
Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.276-2008 |
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Record created | June 26, 2008 |
Record URL |
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