Elizabethan Treasures: Miniatures by Hilliard and Oliver

This was the catalogue of an exhibition of Elizabethan portrait and other miniatures at the National Portrait Gallery in London in early 2019. It may have been the most comprehensive display of work by Nicholas Hilliard and his pupil, Isaac Oliver, ever mounted, including portraits of Elizabeth I and James VI together with often unique images of their courtiers and leading members of late Tudor and early Stuart society. This becomes a fine reference book on the subject. The works themselves are so small and finely detailed that it is easier to see and appreciate them in enlarged reproductions.

This is the catalogue of the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. It was a most interesting exhibition and the catalogue is surprisingly faithful, particularly in colour which is not often the case. Just went to Sorolla at the National Gallery and the cards and other offerings don't reproduce the vibrancy of colour.

If you've been to the exhibition at the National portrait gallery you will know how exquisite these Tudor and Stuart miniatures are. All of them are reproduced actual size so you may want to use a magnifying glass to reveal all their details but there are several photographs in the book of these beautiful paintings in "close up". Its a good "read" as well !

Full of detail and easier to see the miniatures than it was in real life!

For me!! Can’t wait to see the original!