Tooltip Categories patrons-and-sitters

Honorary title for portrait miniature artists that implied an unpaid role within the royal court, but a position that nonetheless helped facilitate access to court patronage.

A visual strategy that minimized shadow and reduced facial features to schematic lines, allowing recognition while sustaining an ageless image.

In its liquid form, it constituted a reflective base over which lines or translucent colours

A deep blue pigment derived from plants of the genus indogofera, that was used for shading, required minimal preparation and was widely traded across global networks.

the fine teeth of this small, domesticated mammal were valued as tools in delicate artistic processes.

is the deliberate construction of identity through visual representation. In portrait miniatures, it includes choices of dress, pose, and symbolism that shape perception.

A selection of artworks and artists traditionally recognised as authoritative in art history.

A smooth, fine material made from animal skin, used as a surface for painting or printing.

A leading Scottish art institution founded in 1826 to support fine art, and artists.

An organisation founded in 1896 to promote miniature art.