Jacobus (1663-67), hertog van Cambridge. Zoon van Jacobus II 1665 - 1670

This miniature portrait of Jacobus, Duke of Cambridge, was made anonymously between 1663 and 1667, likely using watercolor on ivory. The choice of ivory as a ground is significant. It's a precious material, requiring skilled craftsmanship to prepare and offering a smooth, reflective surface ideal for capturing fine detail. The delicate brushwork and translucent layers of paint speak to a highly refined technique. But what does the selection of material and process tell us? The preciousness of the materials, the skillful hand, and the intimacy of the miniature format speak to a world of elite patronage and familial power. Think of the global trade networks that brought ivory to Europe, the labor required to produce fine pigments, and the social hierarchies reflected in the clothing and status of the sitter. By attending to these material and social aspects, we can move beyond simply appreciating the likeness and begin to understand the artwork as a product of its time.