Peter Hayton

Peter Hayton is a member of the Hilliard Society and is showing his miniature paintings along with other members of the Society in our miniatures display cabinet.
The Hilliard Society has been promoting, teaching, and exhibiting the painting of miniature art for over 40 years in the city of Wells in Somerset (the Smallest City in England) and has successfully brought more artists and collectors of this beautiful form of art, to the general public. Miniature portrait art started in the 1520’s when Henry VIII commissioned Lucas Horenbout to produce two miniature portraits of himself, and later his wives. When Elizabeth 1 took over the throne from Henry she made Nicholas Hilliard, after which the Society is named, her court miniaturist and he painted many portraits of royalty and all of her courtiers. Some of his work is now on permanent display in the V&A Museum in London.

The world of modern miniatures has moved a long way from these amazing original portraits to encompass almost every form of art and sculpture. The only stipulation for a miniature painting is that it should have fine detail and be equally enjoyed from a distance or under the scrutiny of a magnifying glass, and no larger than 4.5” x 6” including the frame.

The miniatures on display are all painted by members of the Society who are addicted to this wonderful form of art.
To see and learn more of this unique art form please visit us at https://www.hilliardsociety.org/index.html .
Enjoy