What periods do these portraits cover?

The selections span from the seventeenth century through the Georgian and Victorian eras into the early twentieth century. Earlier examples often depict named nobility and clergy, while later nineteenth and twentieth-century works capture children, military officers, and everyday scenes.

Are these works painted on canvas?

Many examples utilise oil paint on canvas or wood panels, capturing fine details of clothing and expression. Other works employ watercolour on paper, painted silhouettes, or carved walnut for three-dimensional portrait busts.

How were portrait miniatures used?

Portrait miniatures provided portable likenesses of family members or public figures during the nineteenth century. These small-scale works often featured dedicated frames designed to protect the delicate surface while allowing close viewing.

How do I identify the sitter in a painting?

Many works include inscriptions on the canvas, reverse, or original framing that record the name, title, or dates of the individual. Uniforms, clan tartans, and heraldic elements also offer clues to the social standing and background of the subject.