American eye minature

Artist: Unknown
Date:

A significant part of the miniature portrait tradition, small paintings of eyes reminded wearers of a loved one, whose identity remained a secret. The single eye also symbolized the watchful gaze of a jealous partner. These portraits were often conceived as a secret gesture the identity was rarely documented. The casing of this miniature suggests it was created in the 1830s in the mid-Atlantic region. However, the miniature itself is more likely from the revival period.



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