Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver
This study presents the results of the technical investigation carried out on several English portrait miniatures painted in the 16th and 17th century by Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, two of the most famous limners working at the Tudor and Stuart courts. The 23 objects chosen for the analysis,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Heritage |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/3/64 |
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| author | Flavia Fiorillo Lucia Burgio Christine Slottved Kimbriel Paola Ricciardi |
| author_facet | Flavia Fiorillo Lucia Burgio Christine Slottved Kimbriel Paola Ricciardi |
| author_sort | Flavia Fiorillo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents the results of the technical investigation carried out on several English portrait miniatures painted in the 16th and 17th century by Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, two of the most famous limners working at the Tudor and Stuart courts. The 23 objects chosen for the analysis, spanning almost the entire career of the two artists, belong to the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge). A non-invasive scientific methodology, comprising of stereo and optical microscopies, Raman microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, was required for the investigation of these small-scale and fragile objects. The palettes and working techniques of the two artists were characterised, focusing in particular on the examination of flesh tones, mouths, and eyes. These findings were also compared to the information written in the treatises on miniature painting circulating during the artists’ lifetime. By identifying the materials and techniques most widely employed by the two artists, this study provides information about similarities and differences in their working methods, which can help to understand their artistic practice as well as contribute to matters of attribution. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:37:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-25ba01e45c4341db88fb3273d8634c6e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:37:27Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj.art-25ba01e45c4341db88fb3273d8634c6e2023-11-22T13:19:29ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082021-07-01431165118110.3390/heritage4030064Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac OliverFlavia Fiorillo0Lucia Burgio1Christine Slottved Kimbriel2Paola Ricciardi3The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1RB, UKVictoria and Albert Museum, London SW7 2RL, UKHamilton Kerr Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB22 4NE, UKThe Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1RB, UKThis study presents the results of the technical investigation carried out on several English portrait miniatures painted in the 16th and 17th century by Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver, two of the most famous limners working at the Tudor and Stuart courts. The 23 objects chosen for the analysis, spanning almost the entire career of the two artists, belong to the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge). A non-invasive scientific methodology, comprising of stereo and optical microscopies, Raman microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, was required for the investigation of these small-scale and fragile objects. The palettes and working techniques of the two artists were characterised, focusing in particular on the examination of flesh tones, mouths, and eyes. These findings were also compared to the information written in the treatises on miniature painting circulating during the artists’ lifetime. By identifying the materials and techniques most widely employed by the two artists, this study provides information about similarities and differences in their working methods, which can help to understand their artistic practice as well as contribute to matters of attribution.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/3/64English portrait miniaturespigmentspainting techniqueIsaac OliverNicholas Hilliardnon-invasive analysis |
| spellingShingle | Flavia Fiorillo Lucia Burgio Christine Slottved Kimbriel Paola Ricciardi Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver Heritage English portrait miniatures pigments painting technique Isaac Oliver Nicholas Hilliard non-invasive analysis |
| title | Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver |
| title_full | Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver |
| title_fullStr | Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver |
| title_full_unstemmed | Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver |
| title_short | Non-Invasive Technical Investigation of English Portrait Miniatures Attributed to Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver |
| title_sort | non invasive technical investigation of english portrait miniatures attributed to nicholas hilliard and isaac oliver |
| topic | English portrait miniatures pigments painting technique Isaac Oliver Nicholas Hilliard non-invasive analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/3/64 |
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