Miniaturists 18th century
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.
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.
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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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
