Portrait Miniatures: Intimate Expressions of Love

Portrait miniatures were popular among 16th-century English and French aristocrats.

Spreading across Europe in the 18th century, miniatures remained very popular until the latter half of the 19th century when the first photographic processes started to appear.

Today, one of the reasons we take selfies is to share on social networks, particularly for use as our profile pictures. It’s a convenient way to introduce ourselves to other people over distance.

This was one of the uses of portrait miniatures—as profile pictures : “this is me in my Sunday best.”

Portrait miniatures also brought a new innovation in matchmaking. If a nobleman was proposing the marriage of his daughter, he would send a portrait miniature via courier to potential suitors.

At about half the size of an iPhone, they were convenient for carrying a picture of a loved one at all times.

Soldiers and sailors would draw comfort from them while traveling in remote corners of the world. And wives could keep a picture of their husband close to their hearts while he was away.

Small is beautiful.

Here are ten intimate expressions of love … in miniature…

Portrait of a Gentleman by William M. S. Doyle, 1810
Portrait of a Gentleman by William M. S. Doyle, 1810
Portrait of a Lady by Charles Cromwell Ingham, 1837
Portrait of a Lady by Charles Cromwell Ingham, 1837
Portrait of a Man by Nathaniel Jocelyn, 1830
Portrait of a Man by Nathaniel Jocelyn, 1830
Portrait of a Lady by William P. Sheys, 1813
Portrait of a Lady by William P. Sheys, 1813
Self-Portrait by John Henry Brown, 1846
Self-Portrait by John Henry Brown, 1846
By my soul, I can neither eat, drink, nor sleep; nor, what’s still worse, love any woman in the world but her.Samuel Richardson, Clarissa
Mrs. Vanderbank by Christian Friedrich Zincke, 1730
Mrs. Vanderbank by Christian Friedrich Zincke, 1730
Self Portrait by George Harvey, 1830
Self Portrait by George Harvey, 1830
In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice
Rebecca Wetherill by George Hewitt Cushman, 1849
Rebecca Wetherill by George Hewitt Cushman, 1849
Portrait of a Gentleman by Moses B. Russell, 1834
Portrait of a Gentleman by Moses B. Russell, 1834
He feeds upon her face by day and night, And she with true kind eyes looks back on him, Fair as the moon and joyful as the light.Christina Rossetti, In An Artist's Studio
Augusta Temple Palmer by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, 1828
Augusta Temple Palmer by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, 1828
Portrait of a Gentleman by Joseph Wood, 1815
Portrait of a Gentleman by Joseph Wood, 1815
Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care; But for another gives its ease, And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.William Blake, The Clod And The Pebble
Lola Montez by Josef Heigel c. 1820
Lola Montez by Josef Heigel c. 1820
Portrait of a Gentleman by Anna Claypoole Peale, 1832
Portrait of a Gentleman by Anna Claypoole Peale, 1832
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
Portrait of a Lady by Frederick R. Spencer, 1830
Portrait of a Lady by Frederick R. Spencer, 1830
Self-portrait by Thomas Seir Cummings, 1825
Self-portrait by Thomas Seir Cummings, 1825
Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would still be dear.Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Portrait of a Lady by Lawrence Sully, 1795
Portrait of a Lady by Lawrence Sully, 1795
Self Portrait by James Van Dyck, 1836
Self Portrait by James Van Dyck, 1836
I cannot let you burn me up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed.A.S. Byatt, Possession
Elizabeth Scott by Nathaniel Hancock, 1795
Elizabeth Scott by Nathaniel Hancock, 1795
General Henry Knox by Charles Willson Peale, 1778
General Henry Knox by Charles Willson Peale, 1778
Oh the heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close.Thomas Moore, Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms
Rachel Brewer by Charles Willson Peale, 1790
Rachel Brewer by Charles Willson Peale, 1790

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautifulNorman Vincent Peale

Beneath The Snow Encumbered Branches by Joseph Farquharson, 1903
Beneath The Snow Encumbered Branches by Joseph Farquharson, 1903
Be merry all, be merry all,
With holly dress the festive hall;
Prepare the song, the feast, the ball,
To welcome merry Christmas.
William Robert Spencer
Christmas Market by Heinrich Maniser (Russian, 1847 - 1925)
Christmas Market by Heinrich Maniser (Russian, 1847 – 1925)
Christmas is coming; it is almost here! With Santa and presents, good will and cheer!Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, 'Christmas' (1940s)
Christmas market in Berlin by Franz Skarbina - 1892
Christmas market in Berlin by Franz Skarbina – 1892
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.Charles Dickens
Christmas On Fifth Avenue by Alice Barber Stephens (American, 1858 - 1932)
Christmas On Fifth Avenue by Alice Barber Stephens (American, 1858 – 1932)
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign.Christina Rossetti
Porte St Martin At Christmas Time In Paris by Luigi Loir - circa 1890
Porte St Martin At Christmas Time In Paris by Luigi Loir – circa 1890
For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind.Loring A. Schuler
Christmas Time by Nikolai Pimonenko (Ukrainian, 1862 - 1912)
Christmas Time by Nikolai Pimonenko (Ukrainian, 1862 – 1912)
  Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.Winston Churchill
Christmas market by Franz Skarbina - circa 1900
Christmas market by Franz Skarbina – circa 1900
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Henry John Yeend King (English, 1855 - 1924)
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Henry John Yeend King (English, 1855 – 1924)
  At Christmas, all roads lead home.Marjorie Holmes
A Christmas Party by George Henry Durrie - 1852
A Christmas Party by George Henry Durrie – 1852
At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.Thomas Tusser
Christmas Celebrations in Ukraine by Konstantin Trutovsky, (Russian, 1826 - 1893)
Christmas Celebrations in Ukraine by Konstantin Trutovsky, (Russian, 1826 – 1893)
Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.Washington Irving
Christmas Morning, Hotel de Cluny by Edwin Deakin (American, 1838 - 1923)
Christmas Morning, Hotel de Cluny by Edwin Deakin (American, 1838 – 1923)
Sprinkled with brandy in flames, and decorated with a sprig of holly stuck in the centre. Oh! The marvelous pudding!A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
A Christmas Dole by Joseph Clark, (United Kingdom, 1834 - 1926)
A Christmas Dole by Joseph Clark, (United Kingdom, 1834 – 1926)
For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.W.J. Ronald Tucker
Christmas Day by George Goodwin Kilburne, (English, 1839 - 1924)
Christmas Day by George Goodwin Kilburne, (English, 1839 – 1924)
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.Charles Dickens
Christmas Morning by Henry Mosler - circa 1916
Christmas Morning by Henry Mosler – circa 1916
The smell of pine needles, spruce and the smell of a Christmas tree – those to me, are the scents of the holidays.Blake Lively
Silent Night by Viggo Johansen, 1891
Silent Night by Viggo Johansen, 1891
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.Burton Hillis
The Christmas Tree by Albert Chevallier Tayler - 1911
The Christmas Tree by Albert Chevallier Tayler – 1911
Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.J.L.W. Brooks
Christmas presents by Hugo Oehmichen - 1882
Christmas presents by Hugo Oehmichen – 1882
I was lucky enough to grow up in a home where I woke up Christmas morning and had toys. I know that’s not the case with all people and I don’t think kids should go without experiencing that sort of joy.Lucy Hale
Christmas by Felix Ehrlich, (German, 1866 - 1931)
Christmas by Felix Ehrlich, (German, 1866 – 1931)
Were I a philosopher, I should write a philosophy of toys, showing that nothing else in life need to be taken seriously, and that Christmas Day in the company of children is one of the few occasions on which men become entirely alive.Robert Lynd
Christmas Time by Eastman Johnson - 1864
Christmas Time by Eastman Johnson – 1864
A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away.Eva Logue
The Christmas Tree by Julian Alden Weir - 1890
The Christmas Tree by Julian Alden Weir – 1890

10 Lessons from Queen Victoria’s Favorite Prime Minister

Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804 – 1881), was twice the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during Queen Victoria’s reign.

He is remembered for his influential voice in world affairs, associating the Conservative party with the glory and power of the British Empire.

And he was the favorite Prime Minister of Queen Victoria, who told her oldest daughter,

“The present man will do well. He is very peculiar … but very clever and sensible … He is full of poetry, romance and chivalry. When he knelt down to kiss my hand, he said ‘In loving loyalty and faith.'”

Here are 10 timeless nuggets of wisdom from Benjamin Disraeli—as relevant today as they were during Queen Victoria’s reign and long before.

The first is my favorite Disraeli quote that finds a happy balance between optimism and pessimism. We know things can go wrong, but if we prepare for that, we can maintain an optimistic view of life.

Hope

Benjamin Disraeli by H Lenthall, c. 1870
Benjamin Disraeli by H Lenthall, c. 1870

Change

There is nothing more certain than change. Technological change is particularly apparent in our modern age. Disraeli witnessed huge advances in technology and industrialization during the Victorian Era. Just as we accept a change in the weather and prepare accordingly, if we accept change in our lives and prepare as Disraeli suggests, we can manage and deal with change more effectively (Amazon affiliate link).

Changeable Weather by Gustave Léonard de Jonghe
Changeable Weather by Gustave Léonard de Jonghe

Travel

Travel helps open our minds to diversity. The world is full of different lands, different architecture, different foods, different people. Travel helps us realize that although we are all different, we are all uniquely important.

The Travelling Companions by Augustus Leopold Egg - 1862
The Travelling Companions by Augustus Leopold Egg – 1862

Heroes

Disraeli’s advice on how to be a hero—believe you can do it. Belief in ourselves and our ability to do great things is a prerequisite to being one of life’s heroes.

It pays to dream big—many of the world’s most successful people started with a big dream.

Florence Nightingale, Wellcome Trust
Florence Nightingale, Wellcome Trust

Knowledge

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

—Socrates

When we realize we don’t have all the facts, we’re prompted to discover them. With today’s web and search technologies, it’s much easier and faster to find information that helps us arrive at the facts and increase our knowledge.

Still life with books by L. Block (1848-1901)
Still life with books by L. Block (1848-1901)

Audacity

One of the greatest examples of audacity was Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War in 1776.

Despite bad weather and icy, treacherous water, Washington led a column of Continental Army troops to a surprise victory against the Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton.

Washington’s audacity turned the tide for the Continental Army that only a week earlier was on the verge of collapse. It inspired soldiers to serve longer and attracted new recruits.

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851
Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851

Criticism

It’s human nature to be critical. Churchill thought that although criticism is unpleasant, it is necessary.

American writer Elbert Hubbard found a solution for avoiding criticism: “do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing”.

But not all criticism is fair, warranted, or justified. Disraeli’s words strike at the heart of the extra care needed for constructive criticism—to improve an outcome by offering valid and well-reasoned options in a friendly manner.

Escaping Criticism by Pere Borrell del Caso, 1874
Escaping Criticism by Pere Borrell del Caso, 1874

Courage

Where courage is the strength to face our fears, bullying is a smokescreen to hide them.

Disraeli advocated courage, not bullying. As a child, he struggled against antisemitism, but his courage and pride in his Jewish heritage saved him from humiliation.

Courage is Half the Battle by John Henry Dolph (American, 1835 - 1903)
Courage is Half the Battle by John Henry Dolph (American, 1835 – 1903)

Conduct

Disraeli suffered defeat and loss in his life through circumstance, but he never felt bitter or unfriendly to those who rejected him. He swallowed his pride and kept the characteristically British “stiff upper lip”.

Exemplary behavior by Horatio Henry Couldery (United Kingdom, 1832 - 1893)
Exemplary behavior by Horatio Henry Couldery (United Kingdom, 1832 – 1893)

Love

Disraeli reminds us that the most powerful force on earth is love. It is what gives life its purpose and its continuity.

Mother and Child in an Interior by Peter Ilsted - 1898
Mother and Child in an Interior by Peter Ilsted – 1898

Recommended books on Disraeli’s nuggets of wisdom:

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HOPE
CHANGE
TRAVEL
HEROES
KNOWLEDGE
AUDACITY
CRITICISM
COURAGE
CONDUCT
LOVE