Isaac Oliver was born in 1565. He was a French-born English portrait painter who was quickly classified as a miniature painter. Many of the miniature painters often used watercolors in their paintings which is one element that placed them into the realm of that particular style of paintings.

Isaac Oliver would later train under the well known painter Nicholas Hilliard. After studying under Hilliard, Oliver began to create paintings with more of his own naturalistic style. Those familiar with his paintings would be able to spot one of Oliver’s paintings because of his particular style.

Little is known about Isaac Oliver’s personal life. He married a woman named Sara later in life and her father was a well known painter. However, outside of her father’s connection to the art world, little is known about Sara or her marriage to Oliver.

After Elizabeth I died, Isaac Oliver would cross a career milestone. He became the appointed personal painter of James I. He would go on to paint a lot of the royal family members in various scenes and settings. Oliver’s paintings included a lot of paintings of Queen Anne of Denmark. The Prince of Wales was captured in his paintings as well.

Today, Isaac Oliver’s work is displayed in two very well known places. His pen drawings found their home at the British Museum and some of his work is at the Windsor Castle.