Tudor Courtiers Exchanged Portrait Miniatures as Love Tokens. Centuries Later, New Research Is Unlocking the Secrets of These Intimate Artworks

Elizabeth Goldring | Smithsonian Magazine | 9th March 2026

Tudor England retains an allure, in part because of the iconic images we have of its colourful characters. Among the most valued such images in their day were miniature portraits, displayed in jewellery or contained in lockets and worn next to the skin. Nicholas Hilliard was among the most acclaimed miniaturists, typically using watercolour on vellum. This art form lasted for centuries until the advent of photography. The linked piece discusses recent discoveries and a survey of the art form is here.