In this study-day, explore the rich history of portrait miniatures, from the jewel-like works of Hilliard to 18th and 19th century innovations. This study day examines key artists, techniques, and the miniature’s role in love, memory, and identity. It will also include an in-depth look at the role women artists had in shaping this genre.
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This study day offers a rich exploration of western portrait miniatures - an art form at once intimate, intricate, and deeply personal. Beginning in Elizabethan England, we trace its evolution from the jewel-like works of Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, to the refined elegance of artists such as Jean-Baptiste Isabey and Richard Cosway.
We will explore how the art form travelled across the world, from British colonial India to early American portraiture, where it played a role in shaping the visual identity of the New World. These global contexts reveal the miniature’s versatility and symbolic power.
A key focus will be on materials and methods. From early techniques on vellum to later innovations on ivory, we’ll examine how miniatures were made, drawing on rare 16th century sources that shed light on this precise art form.
The course also highlights women artists, for whom miniature painting offered unique opportunities. We consider figures such as Levina Teerlinc, one of the earliest recorded female court painters, and Rosalba Carriera, a pioneer in the use of ivory.
We conclude by reflecting on the contemporary relevance of miniatures, considering artists who continue to work in this tradition.
What will we cover?
• The development of portrait miniature painting between the sixteenth century and today
• Key artists who practiced the art form and their innovations
• What miniatures were used for and why
• Significant women miniaturists
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Describe how portrait miniature painting developed
· Discuss the importance of women practitioners of this art form
· Identify key developments in the art form
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.
Sophie Rhodes's interests and research lie in early modern British art, with a particular focus on watercolour and portrait miniature painting. She holds an MA in History of Art from Birkbeck, University of London, and completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge and the National Portrait Gallery, where she researched the seventeenth-century artist Peter Oliver. She has published on the commissioning and collecting of portrait miniatures at the court of Charles I, and has an interest more generally in transnationalism and immigration to early modern Britain. She has taught history of art survey courses at the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/study-day-portrait-miniatures-500-years-of-intimate-art2783157Study day: portrait miniatures - 500 years of intimate arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/study-day-portrait-miniatures-500-years-of-intimate-art-1080.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit228511361177188917451228511771136<p>In this study-day, explore the rich history of portrait miniatures, from the jewel-like works of Hilliard to 18th and 19th century innovations. This study day examines key artists, techniques, and the miniature’s role in love, memory, and identity. It will also include an in-depth look at the role women artists had in shaping this genre.</p>153046963Study day: portrait miniatures - 500 years of intimate art7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/study-day-portrait-miniatures-500-years-of-intimate-art-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-01T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB2067979Study day: portrait miniatures - 500 years of intimate art635179Sophie Rhodesstudy-day-portrait-miniatures-500-years-of-intimate-art/vb206-2627<p>In this study-day, explore the rich history of portrait miniatures, from the jewel-like works of Hilliard to 18th and 19th century innovations. This study day examines key artists, techniques, and the miniature’s role in love, memory, and identity. It will also include an in-depth look at the role women artists had in shaping this genre.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-01 00:00:00<p>This study day offers a rich exploration of western portrait miniatures - an art form at once intimate, intricate, and deeply personal. Beginning in Elizabethan England, we trace its evolution from the jewel-like works of Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, to the refined elegance of artists such as Jean-Baptiste Isabey and Richard Cosway.</p><p>We will explore how the art form travelled across the world, from British colonial India to early American portraiture, where it played a role in shaping the visual identity of the New World. These global contexts reveal the miniature’s versatility and symbolic power.</p><p>A key focus will be on materials and methods. From early techniques on vellum to later innovations on ivory, we’ll examine how miniatures were made, drawing on rare 16th century sources that shed light on this precise art form.</p><p>The course also highlights women artists, for whom miniature painting offered unique opportunities. We consider figures such as Levina Teerlinc, one of the earliest recorded female court painters, and Rosalba Carriera, a pioneer in the use of ivory.</p><p>We conclude by reflecting on the contemporary relevance of miniatures, considering artists who continue to work in this tradition.</p><p>In this study-day, explore the rich history of portrait miniatures, from the jewel-like works of Hilliard to 18th and 19th century innovations. This study day examines key artists, techniques, and the miniature’s role in love, memory, and identity. It will also include an in-depth look at the role women artists had in shaping this genre.</p><p>• The development of portrait miniature painting between the sixteenth century and today</p><p>• Key artists who practiced the art form and their innovations</p><p>• What miniatures were used for and why</p><p>• Significant women miniaturists</p><p>· Describe how portrait miniature painting developed</p><p>· Discuss the importance of women practitioners of this art form</p><p>· Identify key developments in the art form</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Portraiture in early modern Europe: 1600-1800</p><p>British Art: 1700-1850</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual637951VB206NONESun01/11/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetSophie RhodesBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-01T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Study day: portrait miniatures - 500 years of intimate artstudy-day-portrait-miniatures-500-years-of-intimate-art/vb206-2627<p>In this study-day, explore the rich history of portrait miniatures, from the jewel-like works of Hilliard to 18th and 19th century innovations. This study day examines key artists, techniques, and the miniature’s role in love, memory, and identity. It will also include an in-depth look at the role women artists had in shaping this genre.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-01 00:00:00<p>This study day offers a rich exploration of western portrait miniatures - an art form at once intimate, intricate, and deeply personal. Beginning in Elizabethan England, we trace its evolution from the jewel-like works of Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, to the refined elegance of artists such as Jean-Baptiste Isabey and Richard Cosway.</p><p>We will explore how the art form travelled across the world, from British colonial India to early American portraiture, where it played a role in shaping the visual identity of the New World. These global contexts reveal the miniature’s versatility and symbolic power.</p><p>A key focus will be on materials and methods. From early techniques on vellum to later innovations on ivory, we’ll examine how miniatures were made, drawing on rare 16th century sources that shed light on this precise art form.</p><p>The course also highlights women artists, for whom miniature painting offered unique opportunities. We consider figures such as Levina Teerlinc, one of the earliest recorded female court painters, and Rosalba Carriera, a pioneer in the use of ivory.</p><p>We conclude by reflecting on the contemporary relevance of miniatures, considering artists who continue to work in this tradition.</p><p>In this study-day, explore the rich history of portrait miniatures, from the jewel-like works of Hilliard to 18th and 19th century innovations. This study day examines key artists, techniques, and the miniature’s role in love, memory, and identity. It will also include an in-depth look at the role women artists had in shaping this genre.</p><p>• The development of portrait miniature painting between the sixteenth century and today</p><p>• Key artists who practiced the art form and their innovations</p><p>• What miniatures were used for and why</p><p>• Significant women miniaturists</p><p>· Describe how portrait miniature painting developed</p><p>· Discuss the importance of women practitioners of this art form</p><p>· Identify key developments in the art form</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Portraiture in early modern Europe: 1600-1800</p><p>British Art: 1700-1850</p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
