German Miniature of Boat Outing

This charming German miniature painting, created of oil on copper, depicts a tranquil outing on a boat. A lavishly dressed couple stands together, while a seated man rows the boat. The artist has painstakingly rendered the foliage of the trees, framing the bright vestments of the pair.

The art of the miniature spans over 400 years, finding popularity in the early 16th century when they first appeared in European courts. This miniature originates from a rare and remarkable collection of 12 German miniature paintings. These diminutive oil on copper masterpieces exhibit a level of intricacy few artists could achieve on such a small scale. The collection comprises portraits, landscapes and genre scenes, most likely executed by several artists of the German School in the early 19th century. Miniatures such as this were commissioned by important, wealthy patrons and often used as mementos of important life events. In the case of portraits, they served as a means to record an individual's likeness prior to the invention of photography in the 1840s. To find such a varied collection of this incredible quality is exceptional.

Circa 1820-30

Miniature: 3 3/8" diameter
Frame: 6 5/8" high x 6 5/8" wide x 1" deep