An Unknown Girl, aged four
Portrait Miniature
1590 (made)
1590 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Object Type
A miniature is so-called because of its watercolour technique, not because of its size. These two miniatures are unusual in being painted as a pair. Both are inscribed in gold 'Ano Dm 1590' ('The year of Our Lord 1590'). One is inscribed 'Aetatis Suae 4' ('aged 4'), the other 'Aetatis Suae 5' ('aged 5'). Although the dresses of the two children are alike, it is notable that their ruffs are in different styles. The younger child does not smile and holds an apple. The elder has a slight smile, holds a carnation and wears a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand.
Subjects Depicted
When these miniatures were painted, only the well off could afford to have portraits painted. We do not know who these children were, but we may assume that they were sisters and that they came from a wealthy family. Isaac Oliver (about 1558-1617) introduced distinguishing elements into these very similar images: the apple and carnation, the frown and the smile. It is possible that these symbols had a personal meaning for the family who commissioned the portraits, and they may not have been the artist's idea. In many paintings an apple (the fruit that Eve took from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden) stood for the biblical story of the Fall of Man. A carnation symbolised the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. But how these applied to these two girls is now unclear. The significance or otherwise of the ring is also unknown.
A miniature is so-called because of its watercolour technique, not because of its size. These two miniatures are unusual in being painted as a pair. Both are inscribed in gold 'Ano Dm 1590' ('The year of Our Lord 1590'). One is inscribed 'Aetatis Suae 4' ('aged 4'), the other 'Aetatis Suae 5' ('aged 5'). Although the dresses of the two children are alike, it is notable that their ruffs are in different styles. The younger child does not smile and holds an apple. The elder has a slight smile, holds a carnation and wears a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand.
Subjects Depicted
When these miniatures were painted, only the well off could afford to have portraits painted. We do not know who these children were, but we may assume that they were sisters and that they came from a wealthy family. Isaac Oliver (about 1558-1617) introduced distinguishing elements into these very similar images: the apple and carnation, the frown and the smile. It is possible that these symbols had a personal meaning for the family who commissioned the portraits, and they may not have been the artist's idea. In many paintings an apple (the fruit that Eve took from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden) stood for the biblical story of the Fall of Man. A carnation symbolised the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. But how these applied to these two girls is now unclear. The significance or otherwise of the ring is also unknown.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Watercolour on vellum stuck onto a playing card and set in an ivory frame. The playing card shows half a red cypher (heart or diamond) on the reverse. |
Brief description | Portrait miniature of an unknown girl, aged four, holding an apple, watercolour on vellum, by Isaac Oliver, 1590. |
Physical description | Portrait miniature of a young girl aged 4, half-length, holding an apple; inscriptions in gold on either side of the head; set into a circular turned ivory frame |
Dimensions |
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Content description | Portrait of a young girl, half-length, facing to front and wearing a ruff and caul; the sitter is also holding an apple in her right hand. |
Styles | |
Marks and inscriptions | 'Ano Dni. 1590 / AEtatis Suae. 4.' (Inscribed on either side of the head. Please note that the information about the inscription given in Roy Strong, Artists of the Tudor Court, catalogue 145 and 146 which incorrectly reverses the inscriptions for P.145-1910 and P.146-1910.)
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Gallery label | British Galleries:
These two little girls are shown wearing fine clothes and their lace ruffs are particularly grown-up in style. The frowning child carries an apple which was a symbol of the Fall of Eve. The smiling child is holding a pink carnation, a symbol of love, faithfulness and religious salvation.(27/03/2003) |
Credit line | Bequeathed by George Salting |
Object history | COLLECTIONS: C. H. T. Hawkins sale, Christie’s 13th to 17th May 1904 (908); bt. E. M. Hodgkins; bequeathed to the V&A with the Salting collection, 1910. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Object Type A miniature is so-called because of its watercolour technique, not because of its size. These two miniatures are unusual in being painted as a pair. Both are inscribed in gold 'Ano Dm 1590' ('The year of Our Lord 1590'). One is inscribed 'Aetatis Suae 4' ('aged 4'), the other 'Aetatis Suae 5' ('aged 5'). Although the dresses of the two children are alike, it is notable that their ruffs are in different styles. The younger child does not smile and holds an apple. The elder has a slight smile, holds a carnation and wears a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. Subjects Depicted When these miniatures were painted, only the well off could afford to have portraits painted. We do not know who these children were, but we may assume that they were sisters and that they came from a wealthy family. Isaac Oliver (about 1558-1617) introduced distinguishing elements into these very similar images: the apple and carnation, the frown and the smile. It is possible that these symbols had a personal meaning for the family who commissioned the portraits, and they may not have been the artist's idea. In many paintings an apple (the fruit that Eve took from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden) stood for the biblical story of the Fall of Man. A carnation symbolised the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. But how these applied to these two girls is now unclear. The significance or otherwise of the ring is also unknown. |
Associated object | P.146-1910 (Pair) |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | P.145-1910 |
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Record created | March 27, 2003 |
Record URL |
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