Transformation miniature, portrait circa 1650
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Transformation miniature, portrait circa 1650
A rare and amusing miniature known as a transformation miniature, consisting of a portrait painted (oil) on copper of a young lady (probably a princess).
It is accompanied by a set of 19 mica overlays, painted with feminine or masculine hairstyles, outfits and accessories, intended to be superimposed on the portrait to give the young woman a different appearance.
In turn, she metamorphoses into a nun, a king, a bacchus, a musketeer, a masked ball girl...
All contained in an embossed leather case.
Flanders ? mid-17th century
Condition: portrait slightly faded at edges, some mica plates damaged, case silk missing in part.
Box dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 cm
These objects are rare and fragile, and dozens of others (portraits of men or women) of similar workmanship are known to exist in prestigious museums (Carnavalet and Arts Déco in Paris, V&A Museum and National Gallery in London, Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, LACMA in Los Angeles, Colonial Williamsburg Museum in Virginia...).
It is accompanied by a set of 19 mica overlays, painted with feminine or masculine hairstyles, outfits and accessories, intended to be superimposed on the portrait to give the young woman a different appearance.
In turn, she metamorphoses into a nun, a king, a bacchus, a musketeer, a masked ball girl...
All contained in an embossed leather case.
Flanders ? mid-17th century
Condition: portrait slightly faded at edges, some mica plates damaged, case silk missing in part.
Box dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 cm
These objects are rare and fragile, and dozens of others (portraits of men or women) of similar workmanship are known to exist in prestigious museums (Carnavalet and Arts Déco in Paris, V&A Museum and National Gallery in London, Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, LACMA in Los Angeles, Colonial Williamsburg Museum in Virginia...).
