What is a Georgian portrait miniature?

Portrait miniatures emerged as intimate, portable likenesses painted during the 16th to 19th centuries, reaching peak popularity in the Georgian era. These small-scale works were typically created as keepsakes or tokens of affection before the invention of photography.

What materials were traditionally used for 18th-century portrait miniatures?

Eighteenth-century portrait miniatures were commonly painted using watercolour or gouache on thin ivory leaves, vellum, or card, and occasionally oil on copper or panel. They were typically encased under protective glass within gilt-bronze, gold, or brass frames.

How can you identify authentic 18th-century portrait miniatures?

Authentic pieces display fine brushwork visible under magnification, era-appropriate attire and hairstyles, and natural aging such as light surface tone shifts. Look for period artist signatures, dates, or maker stamps alongside period-correct frame construction.

How do you style an antique portrait miniature in a modern interior?

These small artworks function well arranged in gallery walls alongside modern prints or displayed on easel stands within bookshelves and mantelpieces. Grouping multiple miniatures together creates a focal point that adds historical depth to contemporary spaces.

How should an antique portrait miniature be cared for and preserved?

Display portrait miniatures away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and fluctuating heat sources to prevent paint degradation or warping. Clean the glass cover gently with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid liquid cleaners that could enter the frame housing.

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Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

Name: Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1034979
Price: 3500 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Artsonline

Description

Diana Hill nee Deitz 1760-1844 IMPORTANT MINIATURE PORTRAIT OIL PAINTING c1785

Brief Description:

This is a fine quality original 18th-century Miniature Oil on Ivory Portrait Painting by:

Diana Hill (nee Dietz) 1760-1844.

Note: This artwork has been registered by artsonline.org.uk as qualifying as exempt from the Ivory Act.

Ivory registration: 1TXMX13E

This striking portrait painting is undoubtedly one of Hill's most important works of her career, as it portrays the wealthy and prominent German Merchant Theophilus Blanchenhagen 1736-1814, who was the very man who had made her travels to India possible by agreeing to sponsor the young fledgling artist.

Indeed, it is important to note that the painting is dated 1785, which was the same year that Diana began her arduous crossing to India, on 21 September 1785.

It is highly possible that the Portrait was a gift from Diana to Blanchenhagen for his support.

For almost a decade, Diana Hill exhibited at the Royal Academy. She was trained by Jeremiah Meyer, who held a position at the court as an official painter to George III.

In the year proceeding with this portrait painting, further commissions followed, including a portrait miniature of George Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, in 1786.

The portrait is fastidiously detailed and it is signed and dated 'Hill 1785'.

Please see: https://georgianera.wordpress.com/tag/thomas-harriott/

Attributes:

Oil Painting on Ivory

APHA Ivory Registration number: 1TXMX13E

Dated: 1785

Signed: Hill

Condition:

Original and free from any repairs or restoration.

There is a small split on the left-hand side of the ivory panel - see images.

Framed Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 6.5'' | 16.5 cm

Width: 5.2'' | 13.2 cm

Depth: 0.2'' | 0.5 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay Securely - Telephone orders welcome

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Secure-Payment-VPADeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-0038086-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card

Physical Dimensions

Height

16.5cm (6.50")

Width

13.2cm (5.20")

Depth

0.5cm (0.20")

Declaration

Artsonline has dated this Georgian Portrait Miniature Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1034979

Dealers Notes

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Description

Diana Hill nee Deitz 1760-1844 IMPORTANT MINIATURE PORTRAIT OIL PAINTING c1785

Brief Description:

This is a fine quality original 18th-century Miniature Oil on Ivory Portrait Painting by:

Diana Hill (nee Dietz) 1760-1844.

fig 1. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 1. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

Note: This artwork has been registered by artsonline.org.uk as qualifying as exempt from the Ivory Act.

Ivory registration: 1TXMX13E

This striking portrait painting is undoubtedly one of Hill's most important works of her career, as it portrays the wealthy and prominent German Merchant Theophilus Blanchenhagen 1736-1814, who was the very man who had made her travels to India possible by agreeing to sponsor the young fledgling artist.

“

Indeed, it is important to note that the painting is dated 1785, which was the same year that Diana began her arduous crossing to India, on 21 September 1785.

Artsonline

fig 2. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 2. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

It is highly possible that the Portrait was a gift from Diana to Blanchenhagen for his support.

For almost a decade, Diana Hill exhibited at the Royal Academy. She was trained by Jeremiah Meyer, who held a position at the court as an official painter to George III.

fig 3. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 3. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

In the year proceeding with this portrait painting, further commissions followed, including a portrait miniature of George Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, in 1786.

The portrait is fastidiously detailed and it is signed and dated 'Hill 1785'.

fig 4. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 4. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

Please see: https://georgianera.wordpress.com/tag/thomas-harriott/

Attributes:

Oil Painting on Ivory

APHA Ivory Registration number: 1TXMX13E

Dated: 1785

Signed: Hill

Condition:

Original and free from any repairs or restoration.

fig 5. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 5. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

There is a small split on the left-hand side of the ivory panel - see images.

Framed Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 6.5'' | 16.5 cm

Width: 5.2'' | 13.2 cm

Depth: 0.2'' | 0.5 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

fig 6. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 6. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

fig 7. An oval Georgian portrait miniature of a gentleman with grey hair, wearing a blue coat and yellow waistcoat, set within a gilded rope-twist frame. — fig 7. Diana Hill Nee Deitz 1760-1844 Important Miniature Portrait Oil Painting C1785

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay Securely - Telephone orders welcome