Short answers, pulled from the story.
Jean Fouquet created the earliest known example of a portrait miniature with his self-portrait in 1450. This work emerged from techniques used to illuminate medieval manuscripts where artists applied gold leaf and vibrant colors.
Early miniaturists worked with watercolour applied to vellum or chicken skin and sometimes painted directly onto trimmed playing cards. Ivory became the standard support around 1700 due to its affordability and smooth surface replacing earlier materials.
Nicholas Hilliard died in 1619 after working until that year as the first famous native English portrait miniaturist. His style remained conservative yet sensitive to character using opaque colors and gold leaf on card supports.
The development of daguerreotypes and photography caused the decline of miniature painting in the mid-19th century. Artists who once relied on ivory supports found their market shrinking as photographic processes offered faster alternatives.
The Treaty of Medina del Campo in 1489 marked an exchange of gifts including jewels and portrait miniatures between Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur. Spanish courts used miniatures beginning in the late 15th century to celebrate political alliances.