Portrait of a Woman, Possibly Nell Gwyn

Portrait miniatures are intimate tokens of love, loss, allegiance, and affection exchanged between intimates. The earliest examples were painted in watercolor on translucent vellum (animal skin). The vellum was then coated on both sides with a smooth preparation suitable for painting upon then stuck to the plain side of a stiff card for added support. Miniature cases were made by jewelers and often as decorative as the portraits.

Samuel Cooper became the most celebrated miniaturist of the post-Restoration period in England (1660-1689) so-called as it marks the restoration of Charles II to the throne. Cooper trained with his uncle, John Hoskins and learned his ability to capture individual character. Cooper's resulting portraits reveal a keen sensitivity to detail unlike any other artist from the period.

After Cooper's death, miniaturists began to adopt new techniques to depict their subjects. From thickly applied paint to more delicate brushwork, and even hazy effects, artists began to explore their own signature style.