Artwork
Pair of Miniatures: Portrait of a Man and Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Miniature
Pair of Miniatures: Portrait of a Man and Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Miniature is an unspecified portrait miniature by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Hazlehurst. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This pair of portrait miniatures, dated circa 1780, comprises two oval portraits side by side.
About this work
Overview
This pair of portrait miniatures, dated circa 1780, comprises two oval portraits side by side. Created by Thomas Hazlehurst, the work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The left portrait depicts a man in formal attire (dark coat, white cravat) with a direct gaze, set against a pale blue background. The right portrait shows a woman in a white dress and pearl necklace, holding a miniature portrait of a child. The inclusion of the child's miniature reflects the 18th-century practice of wearing such keepsakes as jewelry.
Technique & Style
Both miniatures feature a gold rim and are set against a unified, faded blue-gray backdrop. The execution suggests Hazlehurst's adherence to contemporary miniature painting conventions, emphasizing detail and intimacy.
History & Provenance
Created around 1780 by Thomas Hazlehurst, the pair of miniatures is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, with the collection providing context among similar works of the period.
Context
The woman's necklace featuring a miniature portrait aligns with 18th-century fashion trends, where such pieces served as sentimental, wearable art. This practice underscored the personal, emotional value of miniature portraits during this time.
Artist & collection
