Eye Miniature 1800 - 1829

This Eye Miniature was created by an anonymous artist. Eye miniatures, also known as lover's eyes, were popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in England and Europe. These tiny portraits, often painted in watercolor on ivory, were usually commissioned as tokens of affection and worn as jewelry. Given their intimate nature, eye miniatures were emblems of sentimentality and social connection. In aristocratic and royal circles, they were exchanged between lovers, family members, and close friends. The rise of sentimentalism as a cultural movement shaped social practices and found expression in portraiture. The popularity of eye miniatures reflects an increased emphasis on personal emotions. Historians rely on letters, diaries, and social histories to trace the cultural significance of objects like this one, as well as the ways in which institutions collect, preserve, and display historical artifacts.