In 1994 an important collection of Swiss erotic miniatures was sold to a client in London; fortunately the gallery had the foresight to have the whole portfolio photographed before it disappeared into a private collection, and here it is.

Painted in gouache on ivory in around 1800, each of these tiny paintings is just 5cm in diameter, but the level of detail is remarkable, as is their state of preservation, having clearly been kept in the dark for most of their existence.

The anti-catholic miniatures in the collection express more than just a frivolous dig at an obvious victim. Many Swiss, influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution, resented the considerable powers of the catholic cantons. The would-be reformers were protestants, and would have responded wholeheartedly to the sophisticated lampoonery we see here. Of particular interest is the miniature featuring the distinctively dressed French dragoon, at play with a nun. Perhaps, as well as being obviously irreverent, it is intended to express a degree of support for the continuing French involvement in Swiss affairs.

In two of the miniatures we recognise characters from the Italian burlesque, the Commedia dell’ Arte. There is resplendently attired Harlequin in a nun’s cell, and the no less exotic Punchinello engaged in a raunchy threesome. By the end of the eighteenth century these characters would have been familiar all over Europe.

We are very grateful to our friend Nicky Akehurst for sharing this portfolio.