The Portrait Miniature (V&A)

A New History

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A richly illustrated study that brings the fascinating stories behind this intimate art form to a broad audience and restores women to their place in the history of the portrait miniature.

The portrait miniature – a precious, hand-held painting, exchanged as a token of love or remembrance – has long been cherished for its ability to connect people. This book reveals the extraordinary stories, artistic achievement and cultural and political impact behind these tiny artworks.

This vibrant history of miniature painting, from its fifteenth-century origins to the early twentieth century, links art, fashion and society in a captivating tale of identity and representation. The Portrait Miniature expands the story to explore the genre’s global reach and highlights the important role of women in its development. Illustrated with miniatures shown at or close to their actual size, as well as enlarged details that allow the reader to revel in the painters’ skill, this book celebrates some of the most sophisticated portraits ever accomplished.
Extent: 240 pp
Format: PLC (no jacket)
Illustrations: 216
Publication date: 2026-10-15
Size: 23.4 x 19.8 cm
ISBN: 9780500481172
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Press Reviews

A detailed look at how these artistic accomplishments had the power to forge allegiances between royal courts and solidify marriage proposals over the centuries
Galerie




About the Authors

Damiët Schneeweisz is Assistant Curator of Paintings and Drawings at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Rosalind McKever is Curator of Paintings and Drawings at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Adriana Concin is a research fellow and former Assistant Curator of Paintings and Drawings at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

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