lover's eye

Media: Mixed Media Jewelry
Dimensions: approx 2"
Date of Work: 2006

George III, King of England in the late 1700s, had just completed fighting a revolutionary
insurrection by his American colonies (1775-1783). His son, George IV, Prince of Wales, who
would become the King of England, was busy at the time breaking the hearts of the eligible young
ladies in England. The story goes that George was in love with Maria Fitzherbert, a Roman Catholic
woman who had been previously married. The Court denounced the romance as unacceptable and therefore
marriage was not in the picture.

Because Maria so loved George, she commissioned a portrait miniature of her eye to be painted,
showing only some of her eyebrow and a wisp of her hair. No identifying facial features were to
be seen no nose, no lips or smile. Her anonymity would be preserved to all; that is, except to
George, who was to wear this eye portrait in a locket under his lapel as a memento of her love.
This small token of love launched a fad among the Georgian wealthy for the next 30 years
(1790-1820). Eye portraits became the rage.