Skip to main content

Planning to visit us this week? Here’s some tips to help you enjoy your visit during the heatwave

  • If you’d like to avoid the peak temperatures, we’ll be open from 10am – 5pm, Wed 24 – Sun 28 Jun
  • The shuttle bus will be running throughout the week, going between the Welcome Centre and the galleries/café
  • The galleries are climate-controlled, take your time exploring the art collections and exhibitions in the cool
  • The woodland area by the lake provides plenty of shade 
  • You can top up your water with our free water station in the café
  • Cold drinks and ice creams can be purchased at both the Welcome Centre and café
A man with long hair and a beard sits at a table in a dimly lit room. He's wearing a white loose-fitting shirt and a necklace with a pendant. On the table are a lit candle, a glass of dark liquid, and a small mirror. Behind him is a wall with religious text inscribed on it.
Exhibitions

The

Reflected

Self

Portrait Miniatures, 1540-1850

Saturday 21 September 2024 - Sunday 23 February 2025

Excellent… This show, like its subject, is small but perfectly formed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Times

A series of abstract silver fountain sculptures resembling intestines in a shallow pool stand in a row in a grassy park setting, with tall trees in the background.

Opening Times

Wed – Sun: Grounds 10am-5pm, Galleries 10.30am-5pm
Closed Mon and Tue, except bank holiday Mondays

About the
Exhibition

 

‘In hand, near unto the eye’ (Nicholas Hilliard on viewing portrait miniatures, c. 1599)

The art of portrait miniature painting flourished in Britain for over 300 years. Co-curated with miniatures specialist Emma Rutherford, The Reflected Self told the story of these jewel-like artworks, from those held in the hand of Queen Elizabeth I to their eclipse by the invention of photography, and examines their functions in society.

These exquisitely painted, portable portraits performed several functions: as emblems of love and loyalty, as diplomatic gifts exchanged between foreign courts or as markers of royal favour.

The exhibition drew primarily on Compton Verney’s own outstanding collection of portrait miniatures, with important loans from the Dumas Egerton Trust Collection and private lenders. It included works by all of the leading miniaturists to have worked in Britain since the mid-16th century including Nicholas Hilliard, Isaac Oliver, Samuel Cooper, Richard Cosway and John Smart.

As well as exploring the history of miniatures, the exhibition highlighted their enduring appeal for artists and designers working today. In each room, specially commissioned films brought to life the highly personal nature of these artworks, whilst works by contemporary artists demonstrated their ongoing relevance and ability to captivate.

 

This exhibition is kindly supported by ARTscapades.

This image shows a close-up of a person wearing a blue Renaissance-style dress with puffed sleeves. The person's hands are clasped at the waist. Around their neck is a chain with a pendant featuring a miniature portrait of a woman with curled hair wearing a blue dress. The background appears to be a pale wall.
Zoom picture 1 of 13
A man with long hair and a beard sits at a table in a dimly lit room. He's wearing a white loose-fitting shirt and a necklace with a pendant. On the table are a lit candle, a glass of dark liquid, and a small mirror. Behind him is a wall with religious text inscribed on it.
Zoom picture 2 of 13
Several small portrait miniatures are shown here, and other historical objects. There's a wooden prosthetic hand with intricate lace cuff visible, along with various framed miniature portraits arranged on a burgundy background.
Zoom picture 3 of 13
A close-up of a single miniature portrait, showing a woman with an ornate lace collar and headdress against a vivid blue background. The portrait is framed in an ornate gold setting.
Zoom picture 4 of 13
This image displays another oval miniature portrait, this time of a man with shoulder-length wavy hair. He is wearing armor and a white collar. The man has a serious expression and is gazing slightly to the side. The portrait is set in an ornate gold frame with a hanging ring at the top. Like the previous image, this is photographed against a dark background.
Zoom picture 5 of 13
Open the gallery to view all images

The Reflected Self Gallery

13 images
This image shows an oval-shaped miniature portrait pendant. The portrait is of a woman with an elaborate hairstyle adorned with white flowers. She is wearing a high collared white ruff and a dark dress with gold detailing. The portrait is set in a gold frame with a ring at the top for hanging. The background of the image is a dark textile.
A close-up image of an oval-shaped miniature portrait painting encased in an ornate golden frame. The portrait depicts a woman wearing an ornate hat, with her curly hair styled in an 18th or 19th-century fashion.
This image shows two framed portraits with unique and elaborate designs. One portrait features a person with pearl-like adornments covering much of their face and neck. The other shows someone wearing an intricate headdress or hat with green ribbons.
a collection of oval portrait miniatures hanging on a wall. These small, detailed paintings depict various individuals, mostly women, in period dress and hairstyles. A brown ribbon is draped above them.
This image shows an assortment of historical artifacts arranged together, including keys, wax seals, candles, jewelry, and small portrait miniatures. These items give insight into the personal possessions and daily life of people from past centuries.
A wooden artist's hand model emerging from behind a curtain. The hand is holding a black ribbon or cord with another portrait miniature pendant attached.
A museum visitor in a yellow shirt examining a wall display of framed portrait miniatures and a larger portrait painting. The miniatures are arranged in groups within their frames.
This image shows the wider view of the gallery space. Various framed artworks and portrait miniatures are displayed on the walls, along with a glass display case
related events
Sculpture in the park
Four golden sculptures are displayed in front of a grand classical building with columns; two large trophy-like pieces with eyes and faces, and two smaller helmet-shaped sculptures.
Exhibitions Included in Admission

Sculpture
in the
park

Now open

Learn more
ModernMasterpieces:Paintings from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Dimly lit interior with a child and two adults seated at a table under a glowing lamp.
Exhibitions Included in Admission

Modern
Masterpieces:
Paintings from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Wed 12 Nov 25 - Sun 6 Sep 26

Learn more
Bruegel to Rembrandt:Drawing Life,Sketching Wonder
Detailed engraving of bustling village life with figures engaged in farming, trade, and household work, illustrating scenes of prudence.
Exhibitions Included in Admission

Bruegel to Rembrandt:
Drawing Life,
Sketching Wonder

Sat 14 Mar – Sun 28 Jun 2026

Learn more

Main image © Simon Bevan