“Excellent…This show, like its subject, is small but perfectly formed” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The Times (read review here)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The Telegraph (read review here)

We’ve co-curated an exhibition with Compton Verney, NOW OPEN until 23rd February 2025!

The Reflected Self: Portrait Miniatures, 1540-1850 examines the functions of portrait miniatures through the centuries, from those held in the hand of Queen Elizabeth I to their eclipse by the invention of photography.

The exhibition draws primarily on Compton Verney’s own outstanding collection of portrait miniatures, with important loans from the Dumas Egerton Trust Collection and private lenders. It includes works by all of the leading miniaturists to have worked in Britain since the mid-16th century including Nicholas Hilliard, Isaac Oliver, Samuel Cooper, Richard Cosway and John Smart. 

As well as exploring the history of miniatures, the exhibition highlights their enduring appeal for artists and designers working today. In each room, specially commissioned films bring to life the highly personal nature of these artworks, whilst works by contemporary artists demonstrate their ongoing allure and relevance.

This is a ticketed exhibition. Click HERE to book and for more visitor information.

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