Isaac Oliver
(circa 1565-1617), Miniature painterSitter in 5 portraits
Artist associated with 73 portraits
Oliver was born in Rouen and came to England with his family as a Huguenot refugee. He learnt the art of miniature painting from Nicholas Hilliard but unlike Hilliard, and as a result of his understanding of continental art, he used light and shade (chiaroscuro) to develop a softer, more illusionistic style. Oliver was appointed miniaturist to Anne of Denmark, wife of James I, and later to their eldest son Henry, Prince of Wales.
More on Isaac Oliver: Elizabethan Treasures: Miniatures by Hilliard & Oliver exhibition
by Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1590
NPG 4852
by Robert de Baudous, published by Hendrik Hondius (Hond)
line engraving, circa 1610
NPG D25560
by John Sebastian Miller (formerly Johann Sebastian Müller), after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1762
NPG D25561
by John Girtin
etching, possibly early 19th century
NPG D25559
by Robert Cooper
line and stipple engraving, 1826
NPG D25562
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