Featured Galleries: Miniature Portraits

Miniature portraits evolved from illuminated manuscripts in the mid-16th century, and they maintained popularity until the advent of daguerreotypes and photographs in the mid-19th century. Miniatures served many of the same purposes as modern-day photographs. They allowed individuals to maintain a physical reminder of loved ones who were often far away. The Newport Historical Society collections hold a number of miniature portraits from noted artist Edward Greene Malbone (1777-1807), in addition to many portraits of prominent Newporters, included Abraham Touro, John Handy, Peggy Champlin, John Banister and Stephen and Jane DeBlois.