Specimens Found On The Papyrus Rolls Of Ancient Egypt

The fashiou of painting single portraits "in little," or miniature, undoubtedly took its origin in the grand art of the illuminator - an artwhich wasprao ticed by all nations, both eastern and western, f rom the rubrieation of capitals and headings, and occasionally true miniatures fonnd on the papyrus rollsof ancient Egypt, as far back as the eighteenth dyna.sty, down to the magnificent missal in the Rouen library, completed In the year A. 1). 1682. Every colleotion aiïords abundant evidence of the introduction of individual portraits among the gorgeous surrounding of the general illuminated work. ïhe Flemish illuminator, especially, carried the drawing and coloring of the heads to a degree of perfection which carne very near that attained by the greatest masters who subsequentty practiced the art of miniature painting, as the term is understood in these latter days. The first Englishman who devoted himself entirely toit, with distinguished success, was Nicholas Hillard, 1547-1819. He began when 13 years old. The most interesting specimens of his work are the portraits of Elizabeth and the Duc d'Alencon on the respective covers of a prayer-book intended as a present from the Queen to the Duke.-