Ring met zelfportret c. 1725 - 1820

This is a self-portrait ring made by Bernard Picart, probably in the early 18th century. It combines fine painting with goldsmithing. The portrait itself is painted in enamel on metal. This painstaking process involves building up thin layers of powdered glass, fused together at high temperature. This creates a smooth, durable surface, ideal for miniature portraiture. The goldsmith has then fashioned an ornate frame and ring from precious metal, no doubt working with tiny chasing tools to create the decorative details you see there. The ring is a potent combination of materials and processes. It's meant to be worn close to the body, and the labor that went into it speaks of intimate exchange. It challenges us to think about how personal expression, skilled making, and social display could all come together in a single object. Was this made to be sold, or given as a token of affection? These are the kinds of questions we can ask when we look closely at how something was made.