Miniaturists
Abd al-Samad (also known as Hodja Abdus Samad, Abd al-Samad Shirazi) was a prominent Persian miniaturist and an influential figure in the development of the Mughal school of miniature painting. Born in Shiraz, Iran, around the early 16th century, he was initially trained in the Safavid style under Shah Tahmasp in Tabriz. His career took a significant turn when he moved to India, where he joined the court of the Mughal emperor Humayun and later served his successor, Akbar.
Abd al-Samad's impact on Mughal art was profound. He co-directed a rapidly expanding imperial atelier and was instrumental in the production of the Hamzanama, an ambitious project that consisted of 1,400 large-scale paintings. His administrative prowess was recognized by Akbar who appointed him to several high-ranking positions, including the director of the royal mint and the governor of Multan. Despite his administrative duties, Abd al-Samad continued to influence the artistic direction of the Mughal court through his teaching and his own works, which remained loyal to the Persian artistic tradition.
Several of Abd al-Samad's works are preserved in major museums, including a portrait of Akbar, which reflects his mastery and his stylistic adherence to Persian aesthetics. His works are noted for their detailed execution and the integration of Persian and Indian elements, a testament to his role in shaping the Mughal artistic heritage.
For more on Abd al-Samad's life and works, you can visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
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Nikolai Ivanovich Argunov (Russian: Николай Иванович Аргунов) was a Russian painter of the late 18th - the first third of the 19th centuries. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, miniaturist, representative of Russian classicism.
Nikolai Argunov is considered one of the greatest portrait painters of his time. His works are notable for their diversity, psychologism, objective approach to nature, devoid of classicist idealization and romantic heroization of the models.
The artist was a serf, was granted his freedom after the death of his master and became an academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. He was a member of a dynasty of artists, the beginning of which began with his father Ivan Argunov.
Amico Aspertini was an Italian Renaissance painter, draughtsman, and sculptor, considered one of the leading representatives of the Bolognese school of painting.
He was trained in the family workshop and was influenced by the artists of the Ferrara school, Ercole de'Roberti, Lorenzo Costa, and Francesco Francia. He worked as a painter and sculptor, and was also an excellent draughtsman, as evidenced by his many surviving drawings and sketches. Contemporaries marveled at his complex and impulsive character and noted that he worked with both hands simultaneously.
Aspertini painted splendid portraits as well as numerous frescoes and altarpiece paintings in chapels and churches in Italy. Many of his works are eccentric and eclectic, even whimsically fantastical, his complex style anticipating Mannerism.
The Master of Bedford was a French miniaturist and manuscript illustrator.
This master of the chapbook worked in Paris from 1405-1435 and is considered one of the most important 15th-century illuminators. He ran an influential workshop in Paris. The artist received his name after his work on two books, which he decorated with illustrations for John Lancaster, Duke of Bedford. One of these, The Bedford Hours, is considered one of the most outstanding illuminated manuscripts extant from the medieval period, with numerous illustrations and extensive decoration, including more than 1,200 decorative medallions that appear in the margins of each page.
Jean Henri Benner was a French miniature painter and portraitist.
Benner was a pupil of the French painter Jean-Baptiste Isabey (French: Jean-Baptiste Isabey, 1767-1855). In 1815-16 he worked in Warsaw, and from 1816 to 1825 - in St. Petersburg, where he painted portraits of representatives of the Russian and Polish aristocracy.
In Russia Henri Benner also created a series of 24 portraits of the Russian tsars of the Romanov dynasty, members of their families and court dignitaries - the so-called "Romanov Suite". This series is unique: it is executed in several sets. Now three sets of the series are kept in the State Hermitage.
In parallel, Benner created other albums of miniature portraits, which enjoyed great success at the time. And even before Russia, in 1812, he executed a series of miniatures depicting representatives of the Habsburg dynasty.
Giovanni Pietro Birago was an Italian painter, illuminator, and engraver for the Sforza court.
He worked from 1470 to 1513 in Brescia, Venice, and Milan, was a leading Milanese illustrator and was favored by the ducal court.
Louis Caravaque was a French portrait painter renowned for his contributions to Russian art during the early 18th century. Born in 1684 in Marseilles, France, Caravaque embarked on his artistic journey influenced by his family's background in decorative painting. His talent soon caught the attention of influential figures, leading to a pivotal contract in 1715 that took him to Russia. There, he famously painted Peter the Great and became a favored artist at the Russian court.
Caravaque's work is distinguished by his detailed and expressive portraiture, which earned him the position of the first court painter during Anna Ioannovna's reign. He played a significant role in the cultural exchanges between France and Russia, melding Western European techniques with Russian traditions. His notable works, which include portraits of Russian royalty and nobility, are held in prestigious collections such as the Hermitage and the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.
Among his most celebrated paintings are the portraits of Peter the Great, Empress Elizabeth as an Olympic goddess, and Catherine II, showcasing his skill in capturing the grandeur and intricacy of his subjects. These artworks not only highlight his mastery of oil painting but also reflect the rich historical and cultural milieu of his time.
For collectors and art experts, the legacy of Louis Caravaque offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of French artistic influence and Russian imperial identity. His works remain a testament to his skill and the cultural bridge he helped forge between two distinct worlds.
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Jean Colombe was a French miniaturist and manuscript illustrator. He founded a dynasty of illuminators, including a son and grandson who continued his work even after his death.
Colombe is known to have decorated a large number of manuscripts. He was commissioned to illustrate both secular and religious texts, and he depicted scenes with many characters in elaborate architectural structures or landscapes. His illuminated manuscripts were decorated with gold or silver, brilliant colors, intricate drawings, or miniature images. Jean Colombe was patronized by Charlotte of Savoy, wife of Louis XI and a noted bibliophile. He illustrated manuscripts for the queen, her daughter Anne Beaujault, and members of the court. Colombe also entered the service of her nephew, Charles I, Duke of Savoy, who commissioned him to complete two unfinished manuscripts in his library: the magnificent Apocalypse of Jean Baptiste and Perronet Lamy and probably the most famous of all the Chapels, The Rich Estates of the Duke of Berry by the brothers de Limbourg.
Isaac Robert Cruikshank or Robert Cruikshank was a British caricature artist, illustrator and miniature portraitist.
Robert is the older brother of George Cruikshank (1792-1878) and son of Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811), who were also caricaturists and illustrators. Robert illustrated novels with his brother, including Cervantes's Don Quixote, and the London Characters series in 1827.
The Master of Marguerite de Foix was a French miniaturist and illuminator who worked in the second half of the 15th century.
The unknown master was named after Princess Marguerite de Foix of Navarre, for whom he created the Chapel. The artist stands out for his expressive skill in depicting figures and their clothing.
Philippe de Gueldre was a French painter, illustrator, and miniaturist from the Netherlands.
He worked on a large number of royal commissions in Paris and northern France at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. Philippe's style was influenced by Jean Columbus; he was characterized by wide-boned figures with round faces, long noses, and small red mouths. He makes generous use of blue and gold, burgundy and green in his palette.
Pol de Limburg, also Paul van Lymborch or van Limburg, was an early 15th-century French miniaturist from the Northern Netherlands.
Together with his two brothers, Herman and Jean, Pol worked in Paris. As teenagers, all three entered the service of Jean de France, Duc de Berry. It was for him that two of the most lavishly illustrated books of hours (a popular form of private prayer book at the time) were created.
Pol evidently had the greatest skill among the brothers and to him belongs the bulk of the work. After the completion of the Red Gazetteers, the brothers set to work on the Duke de Berry's Three Rich Gazetteers. This work, considered their greatest creation, belongs among the finest examples of the International Gothic style.
The Limburg brothers left The Rich Days of the Duke de Berry unfinished, as they died almost simultaneously in 1416, possibly during a plague epidemic.
The Limbourg brothers are the best known of all late Gothic manuscript illuminators. Together they synthesized the innovations of other illuminators and developed a style of their own, characterized by fine lines, painstaking technique, and minute detail. Their "Rich Days of the Duc de Berry," completed about 1485 by Jean Collomb, is one of the milestones in the art of book illumination. It greatly influenced the course of early book illumination and foreshadowed the paths of Northern Renaissance art.
Attavante degli Attavanti, also Gabriello di Vante, is the best known and most representative artist of Italian miniature painting.
Attavante's elegant, expressive style was influenced by the work of Domenico Ghirlandaio and Antonio Pollaiuolo. His first recorded work, dated 1483, is a missal created for Thomas James, bishop of the Dol-de-Bretagne. He subsequently created several manuscripts for Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, and the Medici family, among whom was Pope Leo X. The workshop of Attavante also produced the Jerome Bible, one of the finest bibles created during the Italian Renaissance, now in the Portuguese National Archives.
Francesco di Antonio del Chierico was an early Renaissance Italian painter, illustrator, and jeweler in Florence.
He trained as a goldsmith but later became a highly successful and revered manuscript illustrator. His work was sought after by the patrons of Florence in the second half of the fifteenth century, and he is also considered a favorite artist of Lorenzo de' Medici.
Francesco del Chierico decorated and illustrated books of all sizes that covered a variety of literary, scientific, historical, and religious subjects. He creatively painted manuscript margins as well as full pages. The artist's illustrations often included intricate floral compositions, and he also painted exquisite portraits.
Benvenuto di Giovanni di Meo del Guasta, an Italian painter hailing from Siena, was recognized for his compelling panel paintings, frescoes, and manuscripts produced over a span of 43 years, during the Renaissance period. Born around 1436, his work life was largely based in Siena, where he was first documented as a young artist in 1453. His teacher was likely Vecchietta, with whom he collaborated on fresco decoration in Siena's baptistry. Di Giovanni married Jacopa di Tommaso da Cetona in 1466, which marked the beginning of a productive period that saw the creation of notable works such as the Annunciation and Saints (1466) and the Nativity (1470).
Benvenuto di Giovanni's style was characterized by its noble, classical forms and bright, intensely lit, glassy consistency, influenced by his interaction with North Italian miniaturists like Liberale da Verona and Girolamo da Cremona. His works, such as the triptych from Montepertuso (1475), the Borghesi altarpiece, and the triptych in the National Gallery, London (1479), stand as masterpieces of his sharply defined and surreal world. In the later years of his career, di Giovanni was commissioned for floor designs in the Siena cathedral and miniatures for its choir books, showing a style that occasionally simplified due to collaboration with his son, Girolamo di Benvenuto, but remained distinctively his.
Significant works by Benvenuto di Giovanni include "The Adoration of the Magi" and "The Crucifixion," both showcasing his mastery in perspective and religious narrative. For collectors and experts in art and antiques interested in the evocative and historically rich works of the Renaissance, Benvenuto di Giovanni's oeuvre offers a captivating exploration of 15th-century Sienese artistry.
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Jacopo di Paolo was an Italian painter and illuminator who worked in Bologna during the fourth and fifth centuries.
Jacopo was a very versatile artist, working in several of the city's famous decorative studios and collaborating with sculptors to create drawings for sculptures. He was also involved at various levels in the political and cultural life of the city. Jacopo was enrolled in the Guild of Artists and Jewelers and held many public positions in Bologna. Jacopo's influence in Bologna lasted for half a century and his three sons also became artists.
Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts. He was one of the most important painters of the 15th century Sienese School. His early works show the influence of earlier Sienese masters, but his later style was more individual, characterized by cold, harsh colours and elongated forms. His style also took on the influence of International Gothic artists such as Gentile da Fabriano. Many of his works have an unusual dreamlike atmosphere, such as the surrealistic Miracle of St. Nicholas of Tolentino painted about 1455 and now housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while his last works, particularly Last Judgment, Heaven, and Hell from about 1465 and Assumption painted in 1475, both at Pinacoteca Nazionale (Siena), are grotesque treatments of their lofty subjects. Giovanni's reputation declined after his death but was revived in the 20th century.
Dionisius, a distinguished Russian icon painter born around 1440, emerged as a pivotal figure in the Moscow school of icon painters, particularly towards the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His work is characterized by a unique style known as Muscovite mannerism, which features elongated figures, diminutive hands and feet, and serene, peaceful faces. Dionisius's artistry is most notably encapsulated in his comprehensive and best-preserved work, the fresco painting of the Virgin Nativity Cathedral at the Ferapontov Monastery, which stands out for its singularly pure and gentle colors, imbuing the scenes from the life of the Virgin with a solemn and festal mood.
Throughout his career, Dionisius enjoyed the patronage of many rich and notable figures, including Joseph of Volokolamsk, who commissioned him to paint over eighty icons for various cloisters. His first significant commission was for the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Moscow Kremlin in 1481. His Crucifixion icon, created in 1500, is particularly revered and showcases a novel approach to depicting this key scene in the Christian tradition, focusing on Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and John the Theologian with an emphasis on suffering and redemption.
Dionisius's legacy extends beyond his own works to include several iconic panels attributed to him, showcasing various religious figures and scenes that profoundly influenced Russian art and iconography in the centuries that followed. His depictions often featured innovative elements, such as the personified Church and Synagogue, underscoring his significant impact on the development of Russian Orthodox art.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Dionisius's work represents a quintessential chapter in the history of Russian iconography, offering a deep well of cultural, historical, and artistic significance. To stay informed about new discoveries and auction events related to Dionisius's work, signing up for updates can offer valuable insights and opportunities to engage with this remarkable aspect of Russian heritage.
Woldemar Hau (Russian: Владимир Иванович Гау) was a Baltic German portrait painter, renowned for his contributions to the Biedermeier style, a period marked by a sense of realism and simplicity in art. Born in 1816 in Tallinn, then part of the Russian Empire, he was trained under the guidance of his father, Johannes Hau, and the distinguished artist Karl von Kügelgen. Hau's remarkable talent became evident early on when, at just sixteen, he was recommended to paint for the Russian Imperial Court, leading to his appointment as a Court Painter.
During his illustrious career, Hau captured the visages of the Russian nobility, including Tsar Nicholas I and Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna, alongside other key figures of his time. His works, often characterized by their intricate detail and vibrant realism, include over 200 miniature portraits of the Izmaylovsky Regiment veterans. His most celebrated works are preserved in prestigious collections and reflect his mastery in both watercolours and miniatures on ivory.
For those interested in exploring the legacy of Woldemar Hau, his paintings are a fascinating window into the cultural and historical nuances of 19th-century aristocratic Russia. To stay updated on exhibitions and auctions featuring Hau's work, I encourage you to sign up for updates. This subscription will keep you informed about new sales and auction events specifically related to Woldemar Hau.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant. He is noted for his illustrations of natural history subjects, topographical views, illuminations and mythological works. He was one of the last manuscript illuminators and made a major contribution to the development of topographical drawing. His manuscript illuminations and ornamental designs played an important role in the emergence of floral still-life painting as an independent genre in northern Europe at the end of the 16th century. The almost scientific naturalism of his botanical and animal drawings served as a model for a later generation of Netherlandish artists. Through these nature studies he also contributed to the development of natural history and he was thus a founder of proto-scientific inquiry. Hoefnagel was a very versatile artist. He is known for his landscapes, emblems, miniatures, grotesques, topographical drawings, genre scenes, and mythological and allegorical drawings and paintings. Part of Hoefnagel's artistic works was kept by Constantijn Huygens his nephew. These works were seen by Dutch artists and exercised an important influence on the development of Dutch still life and naturalist art.
Johann Gregor Höroldt was a German porcelain artist who developed the Meissen porcelain style. Höroldt was trained as a miniature and enamel painter.
Between 1719 and 1720 he worked at the porcelain manufactory in Vienna, recently founded by Du Pacquier, and then moved to Meissen and began his collaboration with the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In 1724 he was appointed court painter. In 1731, Höroldt became an arcanist (a chemist, a key figure in porcelain production), and was simultaneously appointed head of the entire painting department and court commissioner.
Höroldt influenced virtually all European porcelain and faience manufactories. He specialized in the fashionable and popular chinoiserie design, but also introduced European landscapes, harbor and battle scenes, still lifes, and bird images as porcelain decoration.
The artist also significantly expanded the palette of colors used in Meissen: in the early XVIII century. was available only five paints for glaze, and Höroldt by 1731 increased the palette to 16 colors. He attached great importance and the original form for porcelain, trying to make it different from the usual dishes.
Franz Michael Katz was a nineteenth-century German painter. He is known as a graphic artist, watercolorist, portraitist, miniaturist, collector and teacher.
Katz founded the Higher School of Drawing and Painting in Cologne, which quickly gained a reputation as a prestigious institution for the city's wealthy residents. He was also a member of the "Olympic Society," founded in 1809, which brought together lovers of art and literature. As a collector, the artist amassed a significant collection of paintings, copperplate engravings, and plaster casts of ancient statues.
Johann Baptist Lampi the Younger was an Austrian portrait painter, renowned for his detailed and expressive portraiture. Born on March 4, 1775, in Trento, Lampi was educated at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna under the guidance of Hubert Maurer and Heinrich Friedrich Füger. His artistic journey began under the tutelage of his father, Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder, a prominent painter himself.
Lampi the Younger's career took a significant turn when he, along with his family, moved to St. Petersburg in 1797, following an invitation from Catherine the Great. This move marked a pivotal period in his life as he produced many portraits of Russian nobility and other significant figures of his time. His notable works during this period earned him a position as a member of the Academy in St. Petersburg and later in Vienna.
Among his well-known works, which can be viewed in major galleries such as the Belvedere Gallery and the Vienna Museum, are portraits of Antonio Canova, Francis I, and Ivan Akimov. His artistic legacy is further highlighted by his influence and contributions to the European art scene of the 19th century.
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Theodore Lane was a British miniature painter, caricaturist and engraver.
Lane became known as a painter of watercolor portraits and miniatures, but his real talent was in satire. He produced a humorous series of thirty-six drawings entitled The Life of an Actor, which was published in 1825, often working on sports material, especially in collaboration with Piers Egan.
As a political pamphleteer, Theodore Lane drew a series of satirical depictions of Queen Caroline and George IV in caricature and grotesque form in 1820.
Carl Johann Lemoch (Russian: Кирилл Викентьевич Лемох) was a Russian painter of the last third of the 19th and early 20th centuries of German origin. He is known as a painter, graphic artist and miniaturist.
Lemoch is considered one of the most notable genre painters in Russia of his time. The leading place in his work was occupied by the peasant theme, which was characterized by a sympathetic image of the hardships of everyday life of peasants. He was the first Russian artist to create miniature portraits with life-size figures.
Lemoch was one of the founders of the St. Petersburg Art Society of Artists and the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions.
Kenneth Macleay was a Scottish and British portrait and miniature painter and one of the founders of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Kenneth Macleay made his reputation painting portraits in watercolor in sizes ranging from ivory miniatures to full-length images. After painting portraits of Queen Victoria's three youngest sons in the early 1860s, Kenneth Macleay was commissioned to create several more portraits of the Queen's favorite cronies, as well as miniature and watercolor portraits.
This was followed by a larger commission, which became the most important of the artist's career: a series of portraits of the most important Highland clansmen for publication. The first group of portraits were executed in the second half of the 1860s and exhibited by John Mitchell in Old Bond Street in 1869. They were then reproduced in chromolithography by the leading London lithographer Vincent Brooks (1814-1885) as illustrations for the two-volume The Highlanders of Scotland.
Maitre de Coëtivy, born Colin d'Amiens, was a French artist, illuminator and painter, one of the recognized artists of the French court.
Contemporaries considered this master to be the most important artist working in Paris in the third quarter of the century. The master was named for the Book of Hours, which he illustrated for the chamberlain of Charles VII, Olivier de Coetivy. Maitre de Coëtivy also created panels, worked on stained glass and tapestries. Among his famous clients was Louis XI's brother, Charles of France; his works decorated the great church of Saint-Severin in Paris and the royal courts.
Maître François was a French illustrator who worked in Paris in the 1460s-1480s.
The identity of Maître François as an artist is first mentioned in a letter written by Robert Gauguin in 1473. Most of the prestigious commissions from the court and leading ecclesiastical figures of the time were carried out in François' studio. In Paris in the second half of the fifteenth century, one can trace the predominant style of illumination by the works of Master Jean Rolin, Maître François, and Master Jacques de Besançon. Bibliophiles close to the royal court encouraged the work of miniaturists through private commissions. In particular, Jacques d'Armagnac owned six manuscripts of Maitre Francois and his entourage.
Boccaccio's De casibus virorum illustrium was very popular in the 15th century, where the author retells the fates and downfalls of famous personalities from the Bible, antiquity and medieval history, ending with Boccaccio's own contemporaries in 14th-century Florence. For a long time this book was even more famous and successful than Boccaccio's Decameron. The text was translated into French in 1409 for Jean, Duke de Berry, by his secretary Laurent Premieffe. And the illustrations for the book were later created in the workshop of the then respected Maître François.
Bernat Martorell, a Catalan painter, was a pivotal figure in the International Gothic style in Catalonia. His works, primarily religious in theme, are revered for their vivid portrayal of drama and violence, often featuring the martyrdom of saints like Saint Eulalia, Saint Lucy, and Saint Catherine. Martorell's unique style, influenced by contemporary Flemish painting, brought a new level of detail and color richness to Catalan art.
Among his notable works are the Saint George Killing the Dragon, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Retable of Saint Pere de Púbol, displayed in the Museu d'Art de Girona. These pieces exemplify Martorell's mastery in composition and his pioneering role in Catalonian art. His altarpieces, including those of Saint Vincent and Saint Lucy, further showcase his exceptional talent and influence on the Catalan art scene.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Martorell's legacy in the realm of medieval art is unquestionable. His works are a testament to the rich cultural history of Catalonia. To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to Bernat Martorell, sign up for our updates. This subscription is your gateway to exploring the intricate beauty of Martorell's art and its impact on the world of painting and sculpture.
The Master of the Ghent Graduel was a Flemish painter, miniaturist, and illuminator who worked in Ghent and Tournai in the second third of the fifteenth century.
This master comes from an older, Parisian tradition of manuscript illumination that was developed by the master Gilbert de Metz. He was active in the 1460s-1470s and was responsible for the illumination of the clockbooks now preserved in British libraries and also created the miniatures for the books of Valerius Maximus.
Master of the Rouen Échevinage was a French artist, one of the leading 15th-century Rouen illustrators, named after the magnificent manuscripts he painted for the Bibliothèque des Echevins in Rouen. He was active between the 1450s and 1480s.
Ramón Torres Méndez is a Colombian painter and graphic artist.
A self-taught artist, Méndez achieved great success as a master of miniature portraiture and a representative of the Costumbristo movement. His genre paintings present pictures of Colombian life, which document with documentary accuracy the characteristic types of ordinary people of the mid-19th century, their costumes, occupations and recreation. Méndez's series of drawings, "Customs of New Granada," was lithographed in Bogotá in 1851.
Venturino Mercati, also known as Venturino da Milano, Venturino di Andrea dei Mercati, Venturino di Andrea dei Mercati, was a 15th-century Italian miniaturist.
The son of a Mercati jeweler, he was active from 1467-1480 and illuminated among other things chorales for cathedrals and choir books. He worked in Lombardy, Tuscany and Emilia. Mercati is known to have lived in and around Siena from 1472, working here for the Opera del Duomo, collaborating with Francesco di Giorgio di Martino, Girolamo da Cremona and Liberale di Jacopo da Verona.
Alessandro Molinari was a German-born portrait painter of Italian ancestry, celebrated for his depictions of the Russian and Polish nobility. Born on January 5, 1772, in Berlin, and passing away on January 20, 1831, in Dresden, Molinari's artistic journey spanned various European locales. His prowess in portrait painting gained prominence during his stays in cities such as Rome, Vienna, and Saint Petersburg.
Molinari's technique and ability to capture the essence of aristocracy allowed him to become a favorite among the nobles during his time in Russia around 1806. His works often reflected a deep understanding of his subjects, infused with cultural insights that appealed to his high-society clientele. Notable pieces by Molinari include a miniature self-portrait circa 1820, showcasing his meticulous skill in this demanding medium. His legacy persists through his contributions to portrait painting, with his works displayed in prestigious institutions such as the Hermitage Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery.
For enthusiasts and collectors of classical portrait art, especially those focusing on European nobility, Alessandro Molinari's works offer a glimpse into the aristocratic life of the 18th and 19th centuries. To stay updated on exhibitions and auctions featuring Molinari's work, consider signing up for our newsletter. This subscription will keep you informed about new findings and sales directly related to Molinari, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to appreciate or acquire his timeless art.
Jean-Laurent Mosnier was a French painter and miniaturist, renowned for his detailed and polished portraitures during the Ancien Régime. Born in Paris in 1743, Mosnier quickly ascended to become a court painter, notably serving Marie Antoinette. His mastery in miniature painting earned him significant acclaim, leading to a prosperous career across various European cities, including London, Hamburg, and St. Petersburg, after fleeing France due to the Revolution.
Mosnier's works are recognized for their exquisite attention to texture and fabric, skills likely honed during his early training at the Académie de Saint-Luc. He became a member of the Académie Royale in 1788, where his works, such as portraits of prominent academicians, solidified his reputation. His career spanned various shifts in his geographical and political contexts, adapting his artistic style to suit the tastes of his diverse clientele, including various European aristocrats and members of the Russian imperial family.
Several of Mosnier's significant works are housed in prestigious museums, including the Louvre and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ensuring his legacy within the annals of European art history. For art collectors and enthusiasts interested in the rich history and exquisite craftsmanship of Jean-Laurent Mosnier's works, keeping updated on exhibitions and sales is invaluable. Sign up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Jean-Laurent Mosnier to enhance your collection and appreciation of this distinguished artist.
Master of Zweder of Culemborg was a Dutch luminary painter who worked mainly in Utrecht in the first half of the 15th century.
The anonymous master got his name from the bishop of the city, Zweder van Culemborg, whom he depicted.
Master of the Troyes Missal de Troyes was a French book illustrator who worked in Troyes in the mid-15th century.
The artist got his name from the missal (liturgical book) he illustrated, which is now preserved in Paris. The master is considered one of Troyes' most brilliant illustrators circa 1450. Contemporaries described him as "the most prominent figure in Troyes' illuminations of the mid-15th century. Troyes was the main center of book production in Champagne during the second half of the 15th century, when the region's lavish manuscripts made it an alternative to Paris, and the master of Troyes books was the most sought-after artist in that city. The widespread demand among devout laymen for the Book of Hours (the most popular liturgical text of the Middle Ages) brought the Troyes master many commissions.
Elegantly elongated figures with flat faces, richly brocaded tapestries, and checkered green floors are hallmarks of the artist's work.
Jean Pichore was a French painter, illustrator, and miniaturist.
He was one of the most famous and prolific illuminators in the production of horologers in Paris at the beginning of the 16th century. Between 1490 and 1521, he was head of a rather large workshop which carried out many orders, while he himself produced only selected works. Jean Pichore worked in many fields, including altarpiece painting, stained glass windows, tapestry designs and illuminated manuscripts.
Andrew Plimer was a British miniature painter and portraitist.
His older brother was Nathaniel Plimer, also a miniature painter. They were first trained by their watchmaker father, and later studied the art of miniature painting together in London with the famous portrait painter Richard Cosway (1742-1821). Andrew Plimer specialized in portrait miniature painting and excelled in it, his work being exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Nathaniel Plimer was a British miniature painter and portraitist.
Like his brother Andrew Plimer, he studied first with his watchmaker father, but both ran away and traveled for over two years in Wales and the west of England with a troupe of gypsies before settling in London. Together they studied miniature painting under Richard Cosway (1742-1821). Nathaniel Plimer exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1787 to 1815, and his portraits were much appreciated by his contemporaries.
Ivan Pavlovich Pokhitonov (Russian: Иван Павлович Похитонов) was a Russian artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known as a painter and graphic artist, a master of landscape, who lived and worked in Europe for much of his career.
Ivan Pokhitonov created mainly miniature landscapes, made with a small brush on planks of red or lemon wood, treated and primed with a special technology. He worked mostly in plein air. The most common motif of his miniature paintings during the years of emigration were city and seascapes of France. In his works, always built on a combination of the finest shades of color, the artist organically combined the techniques of Barbizon, of which he was a fan, and the traditions of the Russian landscape school. He also turned to the genre of still life and portraiture.
Hendrik Gerritsz. Pot, nicknamed Pot from the East Indies, was a Dutch painter-painter, miniaturist, and decorator. He was a member of the Guild of St. Luke of Haarlem. Poth's famous works include genre paintings, portraits, and still lifes in the vanitas style. Sweat has genre scenes depicting groups of young people leading merry lives, drinking, eating and flirting, but he also painted a series of portraits of the English royal family.
Augustin Christian Ritt was a Russian miniaturist born in 1765, known for his detailed and emotive portrait miniatures. Working primarily in the late 18th century, Ritt's artistry was distinguished by his ability to capture the nuances of his subjects' personalities in the confines of small ivory surfaces. His portraits often included prominent figures of Russian and European aristocracy, reflecting the social and cultural elite of his time.
Ritt's artworks, such as the portraits of Prince Alexei Borisovich Kurakin and Princess Natalia Iwanowna Kourakine, demonstrate his meticulous technique and his use of vibrant colors, which have made significant impacts on the art market. His pieces frequently fetch high prices at auctions, reflecting their historical value and the exquisite craftsmanship involved. For instance, his portrait of Prince Kurakin sold for a significant sum, highlighting the enduring demand for his work.
Collectors and experts in art and antiques appreciate Ritt's contribution to the field of miniature painting. His works are not only valuable for their artistic merit but also provide a window into the aesthetic preferences and cultural dynamics of his era. For updates related to new sales and auction events featuring Augustin Christian Ritt's works, sign up here. This subscription will keep you informed about opportunities to acquire pieces by this remarkable artist.
Aloys-Gustav Rockstuhl (Russian: Алоизий Петрович Рокштуль) was a mid-nineteenth-century Russian artist of Baltic-German origin. He is known as a hereditary miniaturist painter, portrait painter, draftsman, and lithographer.
Aloys-Gustav Rockstuhl had the title of court painter. Almost all of his work consisted of creating miniatures for the Imperial couple - Russian and foreign. The artist painted many portraits of Russian emperors and members of the imperial family.
The Rohan Master is the name given to an unknown French illustrator in honor of his participation in the work on the manuscript known as the Rohan Clock.
The artist worked in the first half of the 15th century. He is known to have worked as a young man in the Champagne region of France and then moved to Paris around 1415-1420, where he established a large studio and collaborated with other illustrators. His work during this period included not only books of hours but also several secular manuscripts.
The influence of the Parisian artists of the time, Master Boucicault and the Limbur brothers, can be felt in the work of Master Rohan, but his style is characterized by an extraordinary expressiveness.
August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof was a German entomologist and zoologist, naturalist and miniature painter.
He graduated from the Nuremberg Academy of Artists and was practicing miniature painting and printmaking when he became acquainted with the works of the artist and entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian. Her famous Surinam book of 1705 inspired Rösel to create a similar book, but with illustrations of the plants and animals of Germany.
Rösel began to study natural sciences, he collected insects, caterpillars and butterflies, observed their metamorphosis and wrote down his observations accompanied by pictures. From 1740 Rösel published the results of his scientific and artistic work: the Monthly Entertainments of Insects, in four volumes. He also published Historia naturalis Ranarum nostratium, devoted to the frogs of Germany. In the quality of the illustrations this book is one of the most beautiful about these animals.
Paolo Salvati was an Italian expressionist painter and restorer.
After training as a surveying engineer, Salvati developed a passion for painting, particularly expressionism. He worked with pastels and tempera, did oil painting, and painted in acrylics. His works include landscape miniatures, seascapes, still lifes and portraits. Salvati's works are characterized by life-affirming, saturated colors.
Salvati also designed and restored stringed instruments.
Johann Gottfried Tannauer was a German painter, portraitist, and miniaturist, renowned for his significant contributions to the art scene in Russia during the early 18th century. Born in 1680 in Saxony, Germany, Tannauer initially trained as a watchmaker and studied music before dedicating himself to painting. His artistic journey led him to Venice to study under Sebastiano Bombelli, and he also spent time in Holland, copying works by Rubens.
Invited to Russia by Peter the Great in 1710, Tannauer quickly rose to prominence within the Russian aristocracy, securing a role as a court painter. He was particularly appreciated for his ability to capture the essence and stature of his subjects, which included high-profile figures such as Tsar Peter I and his family. His artworks are notable for their dynamic Baroque style, characterized by intense color combinations and a sense of grandeur.
Several of Tannauer's works are preserved in prominent locations such as The Hermitage and the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. His portraits are celebrated for their vivid portrayal and historical significance, offering a glimpse into the royal and noble personas of his time.
For those interested in exploring the works of Johann Gottfried Tannauer further, staying updated on exhibitions and sales can enrich your understanding of his impact on art history. You can sign up for updates related to Tannauer's artworks, ensuring you're informed about new insights and opportunities to view his masterpieces at auctions or exhibitions.
Mikhail Ivanovich Terebenyov (Russian: Михаил Иванович Теребенёв) was a 19th-century Russian artist. He is known as a painter and watercolorist, the author of genre and historical paintings, as well as portraits, including miniatures.
Mikhail Terebenyov created portraits of famous figures of Russian culture and science, as well as of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812. His brushwork also includes oil paintings and watercolors on genre and historical themes, including those reflecting the events of bygone eras and contemporary to the artist.
Thomas Uwins was a British painter and illustrator, and a Royal Academician.
Uwins was a versatile artist, painting portraits, genre scenes, landscapes in watercolor and oil, and book illustrations. Uwins taught, was a member of the Society of Old Watercolorists, and held a number of high-ranking artistic positions, including librarian of the Royal Academy, inspector of Queen Victoria's paintings, and curator of the National Gallery.
Louis Nicolas van Blarenberghe was a distinguished French painter, born into a dynasty of artists from French Flanders. With a career that spanned the 18th century, he was celebrated for his specialization in detailed miniatures and panoramic battle scenes. His artistic journey began in the Flemish Baroque tradition, evolving into a notable figure within the Rococo movement. Louis Nicolas, alongside his son Henri-Joseph, made significant contributions to the art world, working as miniaturists for the elite at the Palace of Versailles and serving as the official campaign painter for the French court.
His works, particularly those on snuff boxes and his panoramic gouache paintings of military and revolutionary subjects, garnered acclaim. These pieces often featured intricate detail and vivid storytelling, making them highly prized among collectors. The Blarenberghe family's art was so revered that it attracted the attention of the Rothschild family in the 19th century, leading to a substantial collection of their works being displayed publicly at Waddesdon Manor. A significant collection was also part of the Mentmore Towers sale in 1977, underlining the enduring legacy and collector interest in their works.
For art enthusiasts and collectors keen on exploring the rich tapestry of 18th-century French painting, Louis Nicolas van Blarenberghe's oeuvre offers a captivating glimpse into the period's military history and societal elite. His works can be viewed in prestigious institutions and collections, echoing the lasting impact of his and his family's artistic contributions. For updates on sales and auction events featuring Louis Nicolas van Blarenberghe's works, signing up for newsletters from art auction houses and galleries is highly recommended. This ensures enthusiasts stay informed about opportunities to own a piece of this remarkable artist's legacy.
Master Gijsbrecht van Brederode was a Northern Dutch book illuminator who worked in Utrecht in the 3rd quarter of the 15th century.
The artist got his name from the book of hours, which he illuminated for Gijsbrecht van Brederode, dean of Utrecht Cathedral (died in 1475). It is known that between 1465 and 1470 this master created almost all the miniatures in this manuscript.
Johann Baptist von Lampi was an Austrian-Italian portrait painter renowned for his influential style and significant contributions to the art world. Born in 1751 in Romeno, Tyrol, Lampi’s career took a pivotal turn when he moved to St. Petersburg in 1791. There, he received a hereditary knighthood from the Empress and became a sought-after portraitist, painting notable figures including Empress Catherine II and Maria Feodorovna.
Lampi’s work is characterized by its vivid realism and meticulous attention to detail, qualities that made him a favorite in the Russian court and later in Vienna, where he returned in 1797. His portraits, often rich in texture and color, capture the essence of his subjects with striking clarity. Notable works include portraits of King Stanisław II August and Countess Zavadskaya, displayed in major museums like the National Museum in Warsaw and the Łazienki Palace.
For those interested in exploring Lampi’s legacy further or acquiring pieces associated with him, staying informed about upcoming sales and exhibitions is essential. Sign up for updates to ensure you don't miss out on important auction events related to Johann Baptist von Lampi’s works.
