Luce Foundation Center for American Art
Painting: Miniatures: Eye of a Lady
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Eye of a Lady about 1800 Unidentified artist watercolor on ivory sight 7/8 x 1 in. (2.1 x 2.4 cm) oval Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly 1929.8.313.3 |
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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. One of the earliest known eye miniatures was painted in 1786 by the English artist Richard Cosway for the Prince of Wales, later King George IV. The miniature showed the eye of Mrs. Fitzherbert, the prince’s mistress. The eye miniatures shown in the Luce Center would have been set in lockets, brooches, rings, or small boxes. |
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