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Small paintings of eyes first became popular during the late eighteenth century. They reminded wearers of a loved one, whose identity remained a secret. The single eye also symbolized the watchful gaze of a jealous partner, who feared that his or her lover might stray.

˙ʇəəʍs ƃuıʌɹəsəɹd ɐ puɐ llɐƃ ƃuıʞoɥɔ ɐ
'ʇəəɹɔsıp ʇsoɯ ssəupɐɯ ɐ ¿əslə ʇı sı ʇɐɥʍ
:sɹɐəʇ ,sɹəʌol ɥʇıʍ p,ɥsıɹnou ɐəs ɐ p,xəʌ ƃuıəq
;səʎə ,sɹəʌol uı ƃuılʞɹɐds əɹıɟ ɐ 'pəƃɹnd ƃuıəq
;sɥƃıs ɟo əɯnɟ əɥʇ ɥʇıʍ pəsıɐɹ əʞoɯs ɐ sı əʌol

For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.

Keywords

Figure - fragment - eye

painting - miniature

paint - watercolor

ivory

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