Thomas Middleton 1752 - 1758

Mary Roberts painted this delicate portrait of Thomas Middleton as a wearable miniature. The oval shape itself is laden with symbolism; think back to ancient Rome, where the *imago clipeata*, a portrait within a round or oval shield, honored ancestors. Here, the form speaks to a desire for permanence and remembrance. This impulse to preserve likeness echoes through time. I recall the Renaissance, where portraiture flourished, capturing not just appearances but the very essence of an individual. Consider, too, the intimate scale. It invites a close, almost secretive viewing. This is no grand public statement but a private memento, worn close to the heart. These objects are not merely adornments; they are vessels of memory, imbued with the powerful, lingering presence of those we cherish.