Three 19th century French miniatures.

Three 19th century French miniatures.
"Portraits of lady".
Gouache on bone.
Measurements: 4.5 x 3.5 cm (miniature); 12.5 x 11 cm (with frame).

The painting of miniatures, especially portraits, developed in Europe from the sixteenth century. They were mainly paintings embedded in objects such as medallions, table clocks or small boxes. They were done in a variety of techniques, such as oil on copper, tin or ivory, gouaches on parchment or cardboard and, from the 18th century, watercolor on bone or ivory. This delicate art will be lost since the second half of the 19th century, in parallel to the development of photography.