A scholarly, comprehensive study of the art of enamels in Europe, presenting examples from the seventeenth to the late nineteenth century. Demonstrates the extraordinary quality and scope of these exquisite works. This scholarly book contains comprehensive information on the art of enamels in Europe and England. It also examines the techniques and tools of enamelists and presents an overview of artists, patrons and sitters represented in this fine collection.
One of the finest collections in North America, the CMA’s miniatures span six centuries, bridge eight European countries as well as America, and number nearly 170 objects. These intimate portraits were exchanged by friends, lovers, and family members as tokens of affection and often commissioned on occasions of departure, marriage, or death. Delicate paintings in watercolor on ivory and vellum or enamel, they might function as relics incorporating human hair, can be set in elaborate boxes or simple frames, and were worn on the body or tucked away in a pocket. This exhibition reawakens the spirit of these works, which are removed by hundreds of years from the hands into which they were originally placed.0Exhibited in its entirety for the first time in over half a century, the stunning collection is presented from a fresh perspective and features more than a dozen new acquisitions. For 600 years, miniature painters were deeply engaged with issues of death, likeness, memory, identity, privacy, and body-centered scale. The exhibition includes works by five prominent contemporary artists - Janine Antoni, Luis González-Palma, Tony Oursler, Dario Robleto, and Hiroshi Sugimoto - who are invested in exploring these same themes today. The contemporary works are placed in an unprecedented, intimate dialogue with the portrait miniatures, revealing new relationships and uncovering hidden secrets.0Exhibition: The Cleveland Museum of Art, USA (10.11.2013-16.2.2014).
Diminutive marvels of artistry and fine craftsmanship, portrait miniatures reveal a wealth of information within their small frames. They can tell tales of cultural history and biography, of people and their passions, of evolving tastes in jewelry, fashion, hairstyles, and the decorative arts. Unlike many other genres, miniatures have a tradition in which amateurs and professionals have operated in parallel and women artists have flourished as professionals. This richly illustrated book presents approximately 180 portrait miniatures selected from the holdings of the Cincinnati Art Museum, the largest and most diverse collection of its kind in North America. The book stresses the continuity of stylistic tradition across Europe and America as well as the vitality of the portrait miniature format through more than four centuries. A detailed catalogue entry, as well as a concise artist biography, appears for each object. Essays examine various aspects of miniature painting, of the depiction of costume in miniatures, and of the allied art of hair work.
First Published in 1998 , The Dictionary of Enamelling is the first book to provide a comprehensive guide to this most diverse of the decorative arts.Indispensable for anyone interested in the evolution of enamelling technique, the book includes some 400 entries covering every aspect of its history. There are entries on key pieces, individual enamellers, designers, schools, techniques, and the major achievements are described in every era. The knowledge and insight of Erika Speel’s account are supported and enhanced by a brilliantly researched collection of 200 illustrations, 100 in colour, portraying the most dazzling and important pieces, a unique visual record of enamelling history. The Dictionary of Enamelling will be invaluable to people who collect, study, create and enjoy enamels.
Miniatures are not simply small paintings: special techniques are used to achieve their unique glow and luminosity. This book explains how to paint in detail in a small format with colour and precision. It gives an introduction to the history and traditions of miniatures set by Holbein, Hilliard and Oliver. Advice is given on materials, paints, bases and framing and there are step-by-step demonstrations of stippling and hatching, watercolour and oil painting, and colour mixing. There is a focus also on portraits, still life and silhouettes. Drawing on her extensive experience, Pauline Denyer-Baker shares her passion for painting miniatures, and inspires both beginners and more experienced artists to master and enjoy this historic art form. With further advice on the importance of drawing and sketchbooks, and featuring work from leading artists with a range of styles and subjects, this is an inspirational guide aimed at all artists, particularly those interested in miniatures and portraits.Fully illustrated with 254 colour images.
Using step-by-step demonstrations and a wide selection of paintings, the author examines the work and techniques of 28 eminent miniaturists. Each painting is reproduced actual size, with close-up details showing the methods and techniques used.
