Inscribed within the border in Latin, 'James, by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Scotland' Watercolour on vellum, stuck to a playing card James I, who inherited the throne in 1603, learned from Elizabeth the propaganda power of miniatures and during his reign Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver produced many miniatures of the king and his family. But since a miniature could be presented unframed, the person receiving it often had the expense of providing a suitable locket.Įlizabeth I's wealthier subjects started to wear her image as a sign of loyalty in the 1580s, when Protestant England was threatened by Catholic Spain. They were small enough to be given personally, sometimes in a public ceremony, as a sign of the monarch's favour. Miniatures were particularly useful to the monarchy. The earliest examples were painted by two Netherlandish miniaturists, Jean Clouet working in France and Lucas Horenbout in England. Like medals, they were portable, but they also had realistic colour. Portrait miniatures first appeared in the 1520s, at the French and English courts. Some were for private worship, others simply desirable objects. Miniaturists such as Simon Bening continued to illustrate expensive books, but also offered patrons independent miniatures. At the same time, however, wealthy patrons demanded a wider range of luxury goods. This means 'to colour with red lead', a practice that was used for the capital letters.įrom the 1460s hand-written books had to compete with printed books. Indeed, the word 'miniature' comes from the Latin word 'miniare'. Miniatures were first painted to decorate and illustrate hand-written books. P.22-1942, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Portrait miniature of Charles V, Lucas Horenbout, about 1525-30, watercolour on vellum, remounted onto modern card.