The magic of working in a large general museum is that you can wander into almost any gallery and discover a new object that you have never seen before or may have not been on view for a very long time. Most of the collections rotate works on a regular basis for a variety of reasons.
Works on paper are probably the most often rotated objects in the collection because of their sensitivity to light. Currently, we have two galleries that display works on paper that are rotated about every six months. One of those galleries contains a case that displays works from the Museum's Starr Miniature Collection. The collection contains more than 300 examples of European and American miniature portraits from the late-16th to 19th centuries.
Currently, 14 miniatures are on view in Gallery P27. The theme is The Image and the Object which focuses not only on the portraits but on their armature as well. The display includes several of the typical locket-type portrait. There are also three rings, three cases and even a bracelet. Two of the rings contain images of a woman's eyes. They are very curious but at the same time mesmerizing.
The most interesting part of the display are the small mirrors underneath a few of the objects that allow you to see the decoration on the back of the object. Many of them are decorated with precious gems, gold, pearls, inlaid initials and even human hair.
Miniatures held portraits of people who were important to the owner whether through personal relationships or perhaps public admiration. It is obvious that these small treasures were very precious. I have to say, though, the hair is a bit creepy.
Here is the front of Portrait of a Lady by John Smart from 1785.
The back of the object shows the decorative elements. A detail follows.
