Miniature portraits are small, detailed paintings or drawings, often created to depict a person. These artworks typically measure just a few inches in size and were popular from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Artists used various materials, including watercolor, ivory, and paper, to create these intimate representations, which were often worn as jewelry or kept in decorative cases. These portraits served as personal mementos and were especially valued before the advent of photography. Miniature portraits often captured the likeness and personality of the subject, making them cherished keepsakes for families and loved ones.