19th century Spanish miniature. "Portrait of... Lot 14

19th century Spanish miniature. "Portrait of a young woman. Gouache on vellum. Signed with initials "J. R" on the lower right side. Square frame in ebonised wood. Measurements: 5 cm (diameter); 11.5 x 11 cm (frame). Miniature painting, especially portrait painting, developed in Europe from the 16th century onwards. They were mainly paintings that were embedded in objects such as medallions, table clocks or small boxes. They were executed in a wide variety of techniques, such as oil on copper, pewter or ivory, gouaches on parchment or card and, from the 18th century, watercolour on ivory. This delicate art was gradually lost from the second half of the 19th century, in parallel with the development of photography.