On a super chilly, 47 degree Tuesday Betty and I headed over to the Art Institute for the exhibition, Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840. With over 300 works that include oil on canvas landscapes and portraiture, furniture, ceramics, metals, textiles, musical instruments, book art and design, it was the smaller pieces that interested me most.
Betty’s Response: 47 degrees…this is mid-May right?! GEEZ!

These portrait miniatures are no more than 4 inches in width or length.
Sampson Towgood Roch
An Artisan
watercolor on ivory
1788

Transfer decoration after Adam Buck
Partial Child’s Tea Service
transfer-printed earthenware
1810
Adam Buck
Portrait of a Woman (lower-left)
watercolor on ivory
1805

Snuffbox inscribed “Richard Brinsley Sheridan”
bloodstone with silver and gilt copper alloy mounts
1775

Incredibly, these books made to log names, addresses, memos are no larger than a couple of inches in height and an inch and a half in width.

Although not a refined as the Delft, I love this piece!
World’s End Pottery
Epergne/Sweetmeat Dish
tin-glazed earthenware
1755/65

Betty was particularly interested in this Traveling Set.
Abraham Tuppy
silver, steel, and rosewood with silver mounts
1786/87
And last a little eye candy…
So keep in mind I’ve only showed you a fraction of this show. However, the exhibition will be on display until June 21. Woo! Many thanks to the Art Institute for the detail information about each work posted.
Ok! Betty and I are off but before we go, please!!! …get out there, explore, discover, and please SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!