Collectors pay attention!
There are still 109 undiscovered miniatures in circulation
Marisa Schmitt-Viassone copied a total of 120 portraits of Simón Bolívar and historical figures – only 11 have been identified as copies so far
You might want to buy a miniature, own one or know someone who has one at home? Use our documents (sketches and pictures) to check for yourself whether it could be a real one, or a Viassone copy.
The following historical personages copied Marisa Schmitt-Viassone frequently for Manuel Bustillo, who modified and sold them as originals without her knowledge.
Simón Bolívar (Latin American independence fighter)
Francisco de Paula Santander
Juan Domingo de Monteverde
Captain William Richardson
Elizabeth (Poinsett) Richardson
Miss Parkhurst
José Heracio Lopez
and many more…
The copied artists of the 19th century were mainly:
José María Espinosa Prieto (J. M. Esp.)
J. M. Legros
Antonio Meucci (A. Meucci)
Jean Jacques François Le Barbier (around 1793)
The signatures on the copies, also imitated, vary a lot, sometimes abbreviated, such as „J. M. Esp.“, sometimes written out in full. Compare the pictures with possible signatures on your miniature! The year 1830 appears most often in connection with the Bolívar copies.
We will be happy to help you with your research – contact us by e-mail.
Commissioned work for Manuel Bustillo (1955 - 1980)
miniatures, sketches and preliminary drawings by Marisa Schmitt-Viassone
The novel based on the true story
