Portrait of Elizabeth (1618-80), Countess Palatine. Daughter of Frederik V, King of Bohemia, called the 'Winter King' 1640 - 1650

This miniature portrait of Elizabeth, Countess Palatine, was painted by Alexander Cooper around 1660 using watercolor on ivory, and encased in gold. The gold frame is not merely decorative; it is integral to the object's preciousness, indicating the sitter's high social status. Notice the incredible detail of the filigree, achieved through meticulous metalworking. The tiny portrait would have been painstakingly rendered, layer by layer, a true demonstration of the artist's skill. Miniatures like this were luxury objects, often worn as jewelry, and were highly individualized works of art. Think of them as the ultimate bespoke commission, representing both artistic skill and the sitter's privileged place in society. This intimate likeness, crafted with costly materials, speaks volumes about the social world of the 17th century. It reminds us that art is always made of something, by someone, for someone.