The Portrait Miniature in England - Tapa dura

This account of the development of English miniature painting features masterpieces from the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. The portrait miniature is a unique art form with its own techniques, painters and history. One of its greatest exponents, Nicholas Hilliard, called it a "thing apart from other painting", and within the history of Western art it stands as a particularly English contribution with a flourishing life for nearly 400 years. Miniatures were painted to be viewed and held closely, to be given away as tokens of loyalty and love. The book offers insights into the society which allowed the art of the miniaturist to flourish and develop, and takes a fresh look at these delicate works, revealing aspects usually hidden from view and details which show the techniques used by artists to achieve their effects.

Katherine Coombs has been a curator within the Department of Prints, Drawings and Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum for nine years.