Isaac Oliver, A Noblewoman called Mrs Holland, c. 1615. Compton Verney.
The art of portrait miniature painting flourished in Britain for over 300 years. In this ARTscapades talk, curators of Compton Verney’s current exhibition The Reflected Self, miniatures specialist Emma Rutherford and Compton Verney curator Oli McCall discuss their ideas for the exhibition and share highlights and discoveries of the exquisitely painted, portable portraits that functioned as emblems of love and loyalty, as diplomatic gifts exchanged between foreign courts or as markers of royal favour.
The exhibition draws primarily on Compton Verney’s own outstanding collection of portrait miniatures, with important loans from the Dumas Egerton Trust Collection and private lenders. Featuring works by all the leading miniaturists to have worked in Britain since the mid-16th century including Nicholas Hilliard, Isaac Oliver, Samuel Cooper, Richard Cosway and John Smart.
The Reflected Self: Portrait Miniatures from 1540-1850 exhibition is at Compton Verney until 23 February 2025. Supported by a grant from ARTscapades.
This event will be recorded. Ticket holders are emailed a link to view the recording afterwards which is available for one month. Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live with Q&A, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.