Art in the Elizabethan Era Essay Example

Art in Elizabethan Times was just as popular as activities like dancing and going to the theatre to watch a performance. There was a wide range of different styles of art. But one of the most popular styles of art was called “miniature painting” or “limning”. The name “miniature painting” was derived from the word minimum. Mninature paintings were a very popular style of art and paintings, this style flourished from the 16th Century to the 19th. These paintings were originally painted with water colours but they were also made or colored with pastels, oils, or pencils. Because of they’re small shape, it was popular to get a miniature painting done, and place it inside a locket. Some miniature paintings were painted on ivory instead of a canvas. Most miniature paintings included family emblems, coat of arms, or pictures re-interpreting stories or poems that had hidden meanings or messages. One of the most popular artists known for his miniature paintings was Nicholas Hilliard. Hilliard was born in 1547 in England. Nicholas Hilliard was trained and worked as a goldsmith and jeweler before becoming an artist. Hilliard was first introduced to miniature paintings by seeing and admiring the work of Hans Holbein, a miniature painter from Germany. Holbein’s work inspired Nicholas Hilliard to become a miniature artist himself. Nicholas Hilliard’s first known painting was done in 1560. Later on, in 1570 Hilliard became a painter for Queen Elizabeth I (The First). He designed her document seal in 1584, and later on created the “The Pelican Portrait” of Queen Elizabeth I. Nicholas Hilliard was one of the Queen’s favorite artists. Outside of painting for Queen Elizabeth I, Nicholas Hilliard had his first of seven children in 1582 with his wife, Alice. The first born of their several children, Lawrence Hilliard began practicing miniature painting when he was 14, following in his father’s footsteps. Nicholas Hilliard was a well known and respected miniature artist. His pieces