Edward Greene Malbone's ivory painting case

The mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century was an exciting time in the development of artists’ materials in Europe and the United States. A new generation of colorants, papers, and other materials offered artists, illustrators, and designers innovative ways to express their vision. An understanding of these materials deepens our appreciation of their work, pulling us into the moment of...

~Around the turn of the century, the demand for miniatures increased. The mood of the federal era can be seen in Robert Field’s celebration of Martha Washington’s undying love for her husband and P. R. Vallée’s homage to a dead bride. The graceful aesthetics of these portraits, and the high level of private embellishment through hairwork and...