Miniature portraits catch my attention as much as everything else that is old does.
I have a Brocante Bug badly as you know.
The miniature portrait that I am mostly attracted to are the ones that
aren't raving beauties but have a certain unusual charm. Unique in their oddness. My appeal is not to find the glass slipper.
But realness, a look that strikes my curiosity, Who were they?
Miniature portraits were often commissioned so that they could be
given to a loved one to carry in their breast pocket, as we do now with photos on our cell phones. These miniature portraits
were painted on a very thin piece of ivory. Yes, ivory.
They are expensive but that doesn't stop me from looking and asking the price.
Anything under 60 euros is a deal. As I am on the hunt all the time my goal is to pay as little as possible and to like it tremulously which happens as often as I take a selfie. I have one miniature portrait that I bought for 5 euros about 25 years ago.
I call her Piglet. I know that is terrible, terrible, terrible …
Online there are thousands of miniature portraits so today I am going to share a few and name them.
Please do not take offense, especially if I do not name all of you. This is just for fun and to share some that I find lovely in their uniqueness.
Martine
Alan
Becky
Tara
Diogenes
Frank
The backside of the frames, the old way of securing portraits was like the above image
a circular, thinly cut triangle forms that were easily manipulated,
and yet held the portrait firmly.
Jilly
Jackie
Ed
Seriously! Show off. Dang is this cool.
Momof 5
Kathie B
Penni
A portrait on ivory takes about sixteen hours to create…
"Portraits were especially likely to be painted when a family member was going to be absent for significant periods, whether a husband or son going to war or emigrating, or a daughter getting married.
The first miniaturists used watercolor to paint on stretched vellum, or (especially in England) on playing cards trimmed to the shape required. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted on copper became increasingly popular, especially in France. In the 18th century, miniatures were painted with watercolor on ivory, which had now become relatively cheap. As small in size as 40 mm × 30 mm, portrait miniatures were often fitted into lockets, inside watch-covers, or pieces of jewelry so that they could be carried on the person. Others were framed with stands or hung on a wall or fitted into snuff box covers." Wiki listed below.
Leslie
Lil
Denise, Marilyn, Teddee, Anna, and Susan Z.
Texas Francophile, Diane my Cousin, Fat Rabbit, PJT, Chico Sue, Leau, Jennifer,
Barbara, Melly, Debra, Nancy, Carol, Julie, Linda, Judy, and Sue.
—–
Dreamy wall! Considering a miniature portrait on average cost a couple of hundred euros
this cost a couple of chunky wallets.
Rebecca NYC
Shelley Noble
Can you imagine wearing this, the comments you would receive, and the constant
sharing who they are and their names?
This is Denise from Canada, and Cathleen from the States, and Patrizia from Italy, and Kambria from Mexico…
Mardog, my childhood friend, has a winery hence the red shawl.
Another showoff
More about miniature portraits
This is just too good! I would love to know who collected them and the stories behind them.
Anna
For my animal-loving friends…
Have you had enough?
If I didn't mention your name you can come to France and bop me on the head.
Or have a glass of wine in the garden with me your choice.
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