Small Great Things: Miniatures in the Wallace Collection

Comprehensive online course from the Wallace Collection examining their miniatures collection.

Stephen Duffy, a retired senior curator from the museum, took us though the history of the art form and the collection o the first day. There are 334 miniatures in the collection from the 16th to the 19th century. He talked about the different technical styles from watercolour on vellum or card through to enameling then moved onto the collecting style of the various Marquises of Herford. 

On the second day he divided the French from the British and other miniatures in the collection and led us through the main artists of both and how the collection reflected these. He looked at the French first as the Wallace Collection is one of the best collections outside of France for these. In both cases he had wonderful illustrations which allowed you to better detail than even seeing them in person.

It certainly made me want to revisit the museum and lift up more of those mysterious leather covers on the displays.

 

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