Issue 53 April 2026

A Persian miniature. In our English history the very first miniature paintings that spring to mind were painted by monks illustrating their spiritual books. However, in the east there had long been an appreciation for miniature artworks among the Persians, Moguls, and on the Indian sub - continent. Miniatures have always fascinated people. Miniature depictions of family members and royalty blossomed in the Tudor times across the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. Some with unexpected results. Think of the complications following King Henry VIII receiving his miniature of Anne of Cleves. The Victorians often framed their miniature portraits with a lock of hair attached to the back. In the past miniature paintings have been painted on shell and ivory, giving them a special luminosity. Some are painted on velum in watercolours. Fine squirrel - hair brushes were set into delicate handles for this very fine work. With the emergence of dollhouses, like the Queen Mary dollhouse for example, artists took on the challenge to painting tiny masterpieces for the Queen. Miniaturists have painting their own images for many years. Watercolour is a good medium for very small work. However, in my first job as an airbrush artist for a large photography studio we were sometimes given small sepia toned portraits to delicately colour with oils. We had to be trained for this! And it certainly was an art. It fostered, in myself, an appreciation for the delicate English portraits of 17th century ladies and gentlemen. Miniature Masterpieces An Indian miniature painting. Miniature Time Traveller 9