Portrait of a Man, Possibly Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
Portrait miniatures are intimate tokens of love, loss, allegiance, and affection exchanged between intimates. The earliest examples were painted in watercolor on translucent vellum (animal skin). The vellum was then coated on both sides with a smooth preparation suitable for painting upon then stuck to the plain side of a stiff card for added support. Miniature cases were made by jewelers and often as decorative as the portraits.
Gift of James Philip Starr
c. 1622
Watercolor on vellum;
gold and enamel case in colors with a green parrot on a floral ground
gold and enamel case in colors with a green parrot on a floral ground
1.5 x 1.2 x 0.2 in
2018.11.4
Image and text: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2023
Where you'll find this
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Permanent collection