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Isaac Oliver

(circa 1565-1617), Miniature painter

Sitter 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

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Queen Elizabeth I ('Elizabeth I and the Three Goddesses'), attributed to Isaac Oliver - NPG 6947

Queen Elizabeth I ('Elizabeth I and the Three Goddesses')

attributed to Isaac Oliver
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, circa 1588
NPG 6947

Isaac Oliver, by Isaac Oliver - NPG 4852

Isaac Oliver

by Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1590
NPG 4852

Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, possibly after Isaac Oliver - NPG 487

Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury

possibly after Isaac Oliver
oil on canvas, feigned oval, 17th century?, based on a work of circa 1603-1605
NPG 487

Ludovick Stuart, 2nd Duke of Lennox and Duke of Richmond, by Isaac Oliver - NPG 3063

Ludovick Stuart, 2nd Duke of Lennox and Duke of Richmond

by Isaac Oliver
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, heart-shaped, circa 1605
On display in Room 5 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 3063

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, by Isaac Oliver - NPG 2494

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork

by Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1610-1615
On display in Room 5 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2494

Henry, Prince of Wales, by Isaac Oliver - NPG 1572

Henry, Prince of Wales

by Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1610
On display in Room 5 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1572

Henry, Prince of Wales, after Isaac Oliver - NPG 407

Henry, Prince of Wales

after Isaac Oliver
oil on canvas, circa 1610, based on a work of circa 1610
NPG 407

Lucy Russell (née Harington), Countess of Bedford, by Isaac Oliver - NPG 7125

Lucy Russell (née Harington), Countess of Bedford

by Isaac Oliver
watercolour and bodycolour with gold on vellum, turned wood frame, circa 1610-1615
On display in Room 5 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 7125

Anne of Denmark, by Isaac Oliver - NPG 4010

Anne of Denmark

by Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1612
On display in Room 5 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4010

King Charles I, studio of Isaac Oliver - NPG 3064

King Charles I

studio of Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1616, based on a work of circa 1616
NPG 3064

John Donne, after Isaac Oliver - NPG 1849

John Donne

after Isaac Oliver
oil on canvas, possibly late 17th century, based on a work of 1616
NPG 1849

John Donne, after Isaac Oliver - NPG D21407

John Donne

after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D21407

Queen Elizabeth I, by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, after  Isaac Oliver - NPG D25180

Queen Elizabeth I

by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1603 or after
NPG D25180

Queen Elizabeth I, by Simon de Passe, after  Isaac Oliver - NPG D42191

Queen Elizabeth I

by Simon de Passe, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, circa 1615-1620
NPG D42191

Queen Elizabeth I, by Crispyn van den Queborne, after  Isaac Oliver - NPG D18835

Queen Elizabeth I

by Crispyn van den Queborne, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1625
NPG D18835

Queen Elizabeth I, by Charles David, after  Isaac Oliver - NPG D20336

Queen Elizabeth I

by Charles David, after Isaac Oliver
engraving, circa 1625-1636
NPG D20336

Queen Elizabeth I, probably by William Faithorne, published by  Sir Robert Peake, after  Isaac Oliver - NPG D22813

Queen Elizabeth I

probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22813

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, after Isaac Oliver - NPG D25136

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex

after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25136

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