The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
HENRY FREY,
Photographer & Artist,
al Laekawanna Ave-, Scranton. Pa
MINIATURE PAINTING.
An Ynssrsstins Description Of That Art

Miniature painting or the painting Of
portraits on small pieces OF ivory or
porcelain, originated In the illumina-
tion in MSS. before printing was
adopted. And ~ printing superseded
the old illuminating, 80 miniature
painting for some years past has been
placed In the background by the won
derful achievements made by photo
graphy. Still. that should help. rather
than detract. from this art. However,
since the historical period has come
upon US. miniatures have again come
to the front. First, they were done In
ivory came into favor, and some artists
perpetuated the faces of the renowned
Of their day by the use Of oil colors on
copper and silver plates. Afterward
the transparent water colors were used
upon the ivory and mineral upoh the
THE SCHOOL OF BRITISH NINA
TURISTS
was founded by Holbein, during his
stay In England. and many eminent ar
lists since his time have received the
patronage of the nobility and famous
people Of their day. Samuel Cooper Is
considered one Of the best Of the earlier
period. and he devoted himself almost
exclusively to heads only. The fore
most artist in this line in the later
school IL Richard Cosway. All the
beauties of the day sat to him, and he
became famous for his whole lengths,
the bodies of which were done In pencil
and the faces in color. From among
the French, one calls to mind Jean Isa-
bey, whose miniatures are world-fam-
Gus. Napoleon, Marie Antoinette,
Louis PHILIPPE, Charles X. all sat to
him, and during the Directory he be-
came specially famous and popular.
Then we have our own American, NAL
bone, whose works show SO much dell
cacy and grace. and even now retain
much Of their original freshness. Mini
atures on ivory change greatly in some
climates and from exposure will curl
and lose their freshness of coloring. On
the other hand, those done upon porce-
lain always retain their brilliancy, for
having been tried by fire nothing can
harm them. To lever Of this branch
Of art. there Is great pleasure and
fascination In painting one OF those lit
tie heads. for It appeals to ones inner
self. We study the person or portrait
to get the characteristics Of feature
and expression so as to portray an por-
cslain with q little color, something Of
that human life: for invariably our
lives and dispositions stamp them
selves upon our faces. As we work
over II day after day. how the eyes
seem to follow us In our work, growing
in intelligent and soulful expression as
we put a touch here and there until we
fairly grow to love that bit Of porcelain,
into which we have put so much Of our
own soul, in trying to reflect the indi-
Nduality Of the original.
METHODS OF WORK.
Miniatures need four and five firings
being worked up little more each
time. always keeping the coloring clear,
soft and transparent, as II one could see
the blood rushing through the veins. 1t
10 fine, careful and particular work; but
how well repaid one feels for all the
time and patience expended, when the
final result Is obtained. 1t was my
good fortune to study for awhile under
Beetz, Of Dresden, one of the best artists
in this line anywhere in Europe. and
one Of the most pleasing things in his
method Of painting was Simplicity. His
palette was simple, and his manner of
treatment proved his faith in a favorite
saying Of his: "All true art is sim
pie" It is to be hoped that miniatures
will steadily gain in favor, and in the
art exhibitions in New York during the
past few years the number Of excellent
ones exhibited seems to show the in
crease Of popularity Of these dainty lit
GRACE A. NORTON.