Spotlight On: Portrait Miniature
April 24, 2010
To celebrate my birthday, I think it’s only fitting that we look back at a wonderful piece of a gentlemen that looks remarkably like myself.
Miniature portraits often consisted of posthumous subjects, as the above may possibly depict. The gentleman is wearing complete black, cravat and coat and his hair is worked through the surrounding pendant. From the British School in the beginning of the 19th Century, the artistry of this piece moves beyond the typical classical ideal and shows an excellent personalised portrait.
To the reverse is cobalt blue glass and more hairwork.
Opening this one up for questioning; would you consider it to be a post-mortem portrait due to the nature of the costume? What are your thoughts and how would you date an item like this?