Small Gods Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hans Holbein the Younger

Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543) was a German. Under the patronage of Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell he became King's Painter to King Henry VIII. Although he is known as one of the great portrait painters of the age, he also produced designs for jewellery and plate.

He is not especially known for his miniatures, but when Henry was contracted to marry Anne of Cleves, his fourth wife, Holbein was sent to paint a miniature of her. It turned out to be overly flattering, as Henry was repulsed by her when he saw her.

The marriage was never consummated and they divorced within a very few months.

Answer: Nicholas Hilliard

Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) is one of the best known English miniaturists.
He painted many portraits of the courts of Elizabeth I and James I. Although most of his work consisted of small oval miniatures, he also did some larger ones, and there are two known half length panel portraits of Elizabeth I. His work, which is noted for its exquisite detail, remains highly sought after by collectors.

Answer: Alexander Cooper

Alexander Cooper (1609-1660) travelled to Sweden in 1646 to work as court painter for Queen Christina. He continued in this post until 1654 when she resigned the crown. He then moved to Denmark and carried out various commissions for King Christian IV.

His chief works are the series of miniature portraits of Frederick and Elizabeth of Bohemia and their children. His works are rare, although some can be seen in some Swedish galleries.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Arriving in Paris in 1781 Jean Augustin (1759-1832) soon found popularity at court. Prior to the French revolution he painted miniature portraits of Marie Antoinette and many members of the French nobility. During the French revolution he travelled abroad a great deal, but returned to Paris in 1800. By 1806 he was official painter to the Court, and painted several portraits of Napoleon and his family. These are his best known works.

Answer: Isaac and Peter Oliver

Isaac Oliver (1450-1617) was taught by Nicholas Hilliard, and he, in turn, taught his son. They were the first miniaturists to give true roundness to the faces of their subjects, even in their smallest portraits. Charles I commissioned them to make miniature copies of old master paintings in his collection.

Answer: Mary Roberts

Mary Roberts lived in Charleston and is the first American woman recorded as a miniaturist. Little is known of her life other than that she was the wife of painter Bishop Roberts and she died in 1761. Only 3 of her miniatures are known to exist, and from the clothing styles depicted in them it is believed these were done around 1740. "A Woman of the Gibbes or Shoolbred Family" can be seen in the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Answer: Bordeaux

Goya developed a new way of miniature painting while he was in Bordeaux. He blackened a small piece of ivory, dripped water on to it and then let the patterns that emerged suggest a painting to him. He worked the random patterns into greater order and perhaps added a touch of colour.

He is known to have painted at least 40 miniatures in this way, and they are collectively known as "The Bordeax Miniatures".

Answer: William Charles Ross

Sir William Charles Ross (1794-1860) was a Scottish miniaturist. His early works were mainly historical subjects, but by 1837 he had decided that portraits were more lucrative, and had an extensive clientele. Queen Victoria sat for him, as did the Duchess of Kent, and the Prince Consort.

He also painted many of the royal children and foreign royalty. He was made a member of the Royal Academy in 1838 and was knighted in 1842. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery, London.

Answer: Christian Horneman

Christian Horneman (1765-1844) was miniature painter to the Danish Court. He is regarded as Denmark's premier miniaturist. His portrait of Beethoven, done in 1803, is said to have been a great favourite of the composer, mainly because he looked more handsome in it than in his other portraits.

Answer: John Smart

John Smart (1740-1811) was born in Norfolk, but was working and exhibiting in London from 1762. He stayed in London until 1788, when he went to India. He proved popular in India, and did not return to London until 1797. His beautiful portrait of Sir Robert Brooke was done in 1788, before he left for India. Some of his works can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.