Lover’s Eye

Lover’s eyes, or eye miniatures, were popular in Great Britain from the late 1700s through the Victorian era. Typically painted on a small piece of ivory, an eye miniature depicts a single eye, representing the gaze of a loved one. Thought to have been originally created as a secret token of love, these mysterious portraits were often worn as jewelry. Thousands survive today, but for the most part, their subjects and the artists who created them are unknown.

The local and regional artists in this exhibit, in various ways, have uniquely explored the lover’s eye theme. Stellar participating artists include Steven Levin, Adam Forfang, Chris Leib, Kirstine Hansen, Natasha Dikareva, and Laurelin Gilmore, among others. 

Exhibit dates: January 7-30, 2022

Location: Pence Gallery - 212 D St, Davis, CA 95616

Gallery hours: 11:30am-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mondays)

Opening reception: Friday, January 14, 6-9pm (free admission)

Under Yolo County mandate, all individuals are required to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for masking up, practicing social distancing, and helping keep our community safe!

Image: “Reflection” by Steven Levin