Welcome to The Tansey Collection Of Miniatures

The gradually increasing demand for miniature portraits in the second half of the 18th century led to an unparalleled productivity throughout Europe during the Empire and “Biedermeier“ period. More and more artists specialized on miniature portrait painting and refined their techniques. Apart from a few exceptions the miniatures were painted on thin ivory sheets, which made an excellent support for reproducing the sitters’ hands and faces. Their patrons’ demand for large-scale portraits painted in the miniature technique made the artists develop ingenious methods which enabled them to paint the flesh parts on the ivory sheets despite their restricted format.

Since painting a miniature showing not only the sitter’s bust but half of his/her body including an extravagant wardrobe, a rich interior or a romantic landscape in the background was a very time-consuming task, lavishly framed high quality miniatures remained a luxury item.