Lawrence Hendra – författare

This beautiful book explores the art of Elizabethan and Jacobean portrait miniatures through the exceptional collection of Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount BearstedPortrait miniatures, painted with exceptional detail on a small scale, capture the elegance and intrigue of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. England led this refined art form, particularly through the work of Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver. These exquisite portraits reflected the values and ambitions of their patrons, flourishing in a culture rich in symbolism, elaborate attire and hidden meanings. Versatile in function, they served both as intimate keepsakes – tucked into lockets or worn discreetly – and as bold displays of wealth and identity, often set into fine jewellery. For Hilliard, who was court limner to Elizabeth I and James VI & I, they also projected royal authority. Known for their technical mastery and symbolic depth, portrait miniatures have captivated collectors for generations. One notable collector, Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted, amassed a remarkable array of European art, including a rare group of early English miniatures. While most of his collection passed to the National Trust in 1948, this group of early English miniatures remained with the family and are now the centrepiece of this exhibition and catalogue.Exhibition schedulePhilip Mould & Company19th November to 19th December 2025

Ambrose McEvoy (1877–1927) was one of the most modern and daring English society portrait painters of the early twentieth century. He had a quick and confident style of painting and the rare ability to create a portrait that not only reflected the likeness of the subject but captured and reflected their character. By 1915 he was a household name. His work drew the attention of leading society figures like Winston Churchill and Lady Diana Cooper, and prominent socialites and debutantes were soon vying for sittings in his Grosvenor Road studio.   Despite his success, McEvoy's name was quickly forgotten after he died unexpectedly at the peak of his career in 1927. This is due, in part, to the fact that many of his most accomplished works remain tucked away in private collections, and, in part, to the absence of any reliable literature on his life and work. Divine People, the first major written study of McEvoy's life and work, aims to return this long-neglected artist to the canon of twentieth-century British art.