Sofia Mitsola // House of Aquamarina

Contemporary miniature paintings by award-winning artist Sofia Mitsola are shown with 30 historic miniatures from The Portland Collection.

The exhibition explores themes that relate to both history and myth.

Through a display that is suggestive of a family tree, Sofia has imagined a history for her invented characters. By using traditional techniques and materials, Mitsola places the characters from her mythology within the traditions of the past.

These, are painted on vellum, using layers of watercolour, which allow the colours and forms to emerge until the characters are revealed. Mitsola then adorns her subjects, deciding how they would have chosen to be presented through their pose, dress and expression.

Set in gold and vividly coloured backgrounds, the characters become more than portraits – they are icons and amulets of protection.

The historical works will include portraits of Queen Elizabeth I, Louis XIV, Queen Marie Antoinette, Empress Joséphine, and Eleonara di Toledo.

The miniature of Eleonara di Toledo was previously thought to be a painting of Bianca Capello, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, by an unknown artist. During this project, it was discovered that this miniature is in fact a very rare painting by the Renaissance artist Giulio Clovio, who is regarded as ‘Michelangelo of the miniature’.

This is one of only two surviving portraits by Clovio and was once in the Medici collection.