Busacca Gallery

Lovely framed miniature portrait of a young woman from the late 18th century. This beautiful watercolor on paper, though unsigned, has been carefully cut into an oval shape. It’s a wonderful and profound keepsake, originally made for a mourning brooch. It’s rare to find old hand-painted miniature portraits like this one that are not of the Grand Tour souvenir genre but rather commissioned by the individual’s family. The piece is housed in a very old frame. Please see the pictures for details.

Around the turn of the 20th century, miniature portrait painting, an art form that had flourished for centuries, began to decline due to the advent of photography. Miniature portraits, typically small, detailed likenesses painted on ivory, vellum, or enamel, were popular from the 16th through the 19th centuries. They were often worn as jewelry or carried as keepsakes. However, as photography became more accessible and affordable, it replaced the demand for these painstakingly crafted portraits. Despite this decline, miniature portrait painting persisted in certain circles, often as a sentimental or luxury item, and continued to be appreciated for its meticulous craftsmanship and historical significance.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_miniatures

A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache or watercolor. Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th century and 18th century. They were especially valuable in introducing people to each other over distances; a nobleman proposing the marriage of his daughter might send a courier with her portrait to visit potential suitors. Soldiers and sailors might carry miniatures of their loved ones while traveling, or a wife might keep one of her husband while he was away.