Blog

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

                                                                                    Vincent Van Gogh

Diminutive. Tiny.  Little.  Wee. Teensy-tiny. Mini.  Miniature.  Sometimes small is better. Sometimes small can even be big.  This may be especially true when it comes to art. Undoubtedly, there’s nothing like a 10 ft X 10 ft canvas to create gasps of admiration from guests walking into a room, but think for a moment about how tiny art impacts the viewer.  With a tiny piece of art, viewers are drawn into the piece. The gasp may not be as noticeable as the wall sized art, but it may well still be there. And because it requires a closer viewing, it draws guests (and buyers) closer together, encouraging conversation and, if you will, more intimacy. 

Most art aficionados, museum and gallery-goers have heard the term “miniatures” as it applies to art, but do they know its humble beginnings?  Here follows a very condensed and simplified version of the surprisingly complex history and progression of miniature art.  

There is evidence that the art form existed as early as 250 A.D., especially in the Far East.  Examples of ancient miniature art thrive all over Persia, India, and Turkey.  Throughout the following centuries, it is seen in illustrated versions of the Bible and other handwritten books prior to its use as a formal art term in the 16^thCentury.  It existed without being labeled. It was commonly seen in embellished lettering or illuminated manuscripts, often in in the initial capital letter of a paragraph or book chapter. It seems the idea of “decorating” letters has been with us almost as long as there has been an “us."

Illuminated Manuscript “Christ Kneeling in Prayer Garden of Gethsemene”, 1475, France, Loire Valley, from Park West Gallery

Illuminated Letters, 1890, Duncan, Getty Images

Beauty and expression may have been the original “reason” for fancifying letters and manuscripts – and who needs more than beauty as a reason? – but another common use of miniature art was born out of necessity. When royals, military officers and others were traveling for many months, they carried with them a tiny portrait of their loved one. The ones left behind likewise held a tiny painting of their family member or other loved ones during the long separations.  Images were often painted on ivory, commonly in an oval shape, and were tucked away in a locket or other small piece of jewelry.  The lids of snuff boxes or pocket-sized cases were also a favorite place for miniature portraiture.  Frames were no more than one to three inches and were often constructed by jewelers. This trend of tiny portraits lasted more than 300 years.  And one guess will likely lead you to what happened to end the tradition of tiny painted portraits.  The advent of the daguerreotype in the 1800s found miniature portrait artists replaced by photographers. Travelers still carried images with them as they passed over the seas or countryside and wives still wore an image of their husband on their décolletage, but it evolved into a printed photo, not a tiny original image painted on ivory or wood.  The evolution of portraiture continued to evolve and today, in 2021, we tend to carry our favorite photos digitally; the photo albums piled in our attics collecting dust are a thing of the past as are the tiny portraits that were so loved for so many centuries. 

Mrs. Charles Willson Peale (Rachel Brewer) and Baby Eleanor by Charles Willson Peale, 18^th Century, American, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Snuffbox cover with portrait of Frederick the Great (1712-1786), King of Prussia, mid-18^th Century, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Not surprisingly, there are “rules” associated with miniature art. Strictly speaking, to qualify as a formal miniature painting it must be no larger than 25 square inches and the subject no larger than 1/6^th its actual size.  Interestingly, the word “miniature” was not originally related to size of work.  The word is derived from the Latin minium, which was typically cinnabar or red lead. To color with minium was miniare.  Because it was often used to illuminate manuscripts and those embellishments were quite small, the word became associated with tiny art and made its way into the English language in the 16^th Century as miniature and was, forever after,  associated with the size of work. 

But as all things slip slide away and curl into new ideas in contemporary culture, the exacting size of miniature painting as originally established is not often held to.  There are dozens of miniature painting societies across the globe and within the United States.  Collections of miniature art are found in museums all over the world, including 30 in the United States. In Utah, you can see a collection of miniatures at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in Salt Lake City.  Even more U.S. museums feature pieces of miniature art from around the world, but do not possess a full collection.  Local galleries across the map have miniature shows and it’s likely the strict definition of miniature art is only held to in formal exhibitions at well-funded museums that hold collections of ancient or historical art.  

“Cup and Saucer” by Gallery Moab artist Larry Christenson, 5X7 Oil

“Black and White Reflection” by Gallery Moab artist Mary Collar 8x8, acrylic

Contemporary artists no doubt have more fun while exploring the world of miniature art as they expand the size, shape and surface of their work.  You may find artists painting on playing cards, candy tins or other “found” items.  Trading card sized art boards and papers are readily available and are the perfect size for experimentation by artists and can easily be popped in the mail to surprise friends or family.

“Blanket Flower” by Gallery Moab artist Deborah McDermott, 3 ½” X 3 ½”, 3 color linocut

“Lady D”, by Deborah McDermott, 3 ½” X 3 ½” 3 color linocut

In December, Gallery Moab is a good place to see how local artists approach miniatures.  The show “Small Wonders” will feature work by many of the nearly 40 artists whose work is shown at the cooperative gallery on Main Street.  The show will include a variety of media including ceramics, textiles, glass, paintings, drawings, blockprints, mixed media and possibly even some surprises!  In an effort to be as inclusive of Gallery Moab artists as possible, the definition of miniature art has been expanded. The size for this special show will be 8 inches by 8 inches, not including the frame, with no limitation on theme or media.  Of course, 8” X 8” breaks the rule of 25 square inches, but artists are, thankfully, well-known to be rule breakers! We expect our artists to rise to the “small” challenge and provide a show where there will be art for every taste and budget along with lots of gasps and intimate conversation. 

“Courthouse Butte” by Gallery Moab artist Page Holland 5 X 7 oil

"Untitled still life" by Gallery Moab artist Thea Nordling 5 X 5 pastel

 The Gallery is open from 12 to 4 Monday through Thursday, 12-7 Fridays and Saturdays and 10-2 on Sundays and on any of those days, you will find yourself being helped by and chatted up by one of the Gallery Moab artists who work in the elegant space.  As we enter the gift-giving season, think about the gift of art. It’s perfect for the person who has everything. It shows the person being gifted that you have put some careful thought into what they would love and cherish.  It triggers memories, perhaps of time together, or of places that make one’s heart sing. Every day and every month there is new art to see at the Gallery and purchasing art supports local artists and, as they say, the work of local artists is not sitting in cargo ships! 

"Along the Tracks" by Gallery Moab artist Carolyn Tibbetts 5x7 Acrylic

'Hidden Lake" by Gallery Moab artist Page Holland 5x7 Oil

“Tenacity” by Gallery Moab artist Janet Buckingham, 4 X 6 Watercolor/Ink 

"Clouds In My Coffee" by Gallery Moab artist Marsha Modine 8x8 Acrylic

All paintings by Gallery Moab artists featured in this blog will be available for purchase at the “Small Wonders” show December 1, 2021, through the end of the year.

“There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.” – Helen Frankenthaler