beard and moustache, blue blackground within gold border, gouache on vellum laid down on cardin fine contemporary gold frame with white and gold enamel border
Christie's London. Oliver was probably born in Rouen, France, the son of Pierre Ollivier, a goldsmith. He came to London with his huguenot parents around 1568 and became the pupil of Nicholas Hilliard. His miniatures had the greatest success in the Court of England and he soon became one of the most sought after miniaturists with the English aristocracy. His works at the beginning of his career resembled much those of Hilliard but after some years he had his own style showing more life in his miniatures. This miniature carried a high estimate of £ 15,000 but its quality was enough to push the final price well above.
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