Hilliard and Oliver

World of Interiors Magazine, April 2019

During the reign of Elizabeth I, only royalty and the rich could afford to commission the exalted Nicholas Hilliard or Isaac Oliver to paint a prized miniature of themselves in all their jewels and finery. Imbued with symbolism, many of these exquisitely worked – and extremely rare – talismans and love ‘tablets’ have been brought together for a National Portrait Gallery exhibition. It’s all quite divine, writes Geoffrey Munn.