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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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miniatures
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The word was originally used only of paintings in illuminated manuscripts (deriving from the Latin minium for the red paint which gave emphasis to certain capital letters), but it is more generally applied now to portrait miniatures. In the 16–18C these tiny likenesses were an important and highly skilled tradition in British art. At first they were often worn about the person, as tokens or jewels. Later they were kept in folding cases, often oval, which could be slipped into the pocket, or else in frames for display around a drawing room. In either form they fulfilled the role of a modern photograph.
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The earliest English master was Nicholas *Hilliard, and the other leading names are Isaac Oliver (c.1565–1617), Samuel Cooper (1609–72) and Richard Cosway (1742–1821). Nearly all miniatures were painted on vellum until the early 18C, when ivory became the standard material.
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