Miniature paintings

The 35 items on display represent a relevant collection within the historic and artistic heritage of the Coronini Cronberg Foundation, even though its creation started rather because of affective and family reasons than for a real collecting purpose. Apart from some landscapes and religious as well as mythological scenes, much of the miniatures depicts people connected with the Coronini family, that boasted relationships with renown royal families all over Europe. Miniatures were private objects, intended to be carried by their owners, who could also wear them as a locket or a bracelet; they were often inspired by memories, friendships and personal events that continue emerging in documents, writings and letters. Coronini miniatures, dated from the 17th century to the 20th century, were made by French, Italian, Russian, Austrian and Indian artists, and detail in a very significant way the various techniques used for miniature painting over the centuries : from oil panting on copper to enamel and watercolor on paper or ivory