The Portrait Miniature: A New History

About this book

This richly illustrated study brings the fascinating stories behind this intimate art form to a broad audience and restores women to their place in the history of the portrait miniature. The portrait miniature—a precious, hand-held painting, exchanged as a token of love or remembrance—has long been cherished for its ability to connect people. This book reveals the extraordinary stories, artistic achievement, and cultural and political impact behind these tiny artworks. This vibrant history of miniature painting, from its fifteenth-century origins to the early twentieth century, links art, fashion, and society in a captivating tale of identity and representation. The Portrait Miniature expands the story to explore the genre's global reach and highlights the important role of women in its development. Illustrated with miniatures shown at or close to their actual size, as well as enlarged details that allow the reader to revel in the painters' skill, this book celebrates some of the most sophisticated portraits ever accomplished.

Details

Format

Hardcover

ISBN-13

9780500481172

Publisher

Thames & Hudson

Published

October 13, 2026

Pages

240

Weight

39.2 oz

Subject

Art