Miniatures

From the 1980’s to late 1990’s I painted miniatures for adult collectors of period dolls houses. These images were based on ‘old master’ paintings. The original pictures were reduced to a size suitable for a 12th scale dolls house or museum of miniatures.

A few were shown at the London Dollshouse Festival in Kensington Town Hall, although most were painted on commission. I only ever produced one of any particular work, so each was unique to the collector.

A collection of miniature classical paintings and a postage stamp displayed for scale. Based on ‘old master’ paintings art by Judith Drury.
A collection of miniature classical paintings and a postage stamp displayed for scale. Based on ‘old master’ paintings art by Judith Drury.
Several tubes of Windsor & Newton Designer's Gouache paint lying on a white surface, with a partially painted religious icon image on a small board nearby.

Creating a convincing image of a large oil painting into a very small picture was technically complicated. Many adjustments to the forms, colours and textures in the original had to be made to make the miniature look convincing and ‘work’ visually.

Each took weeks - sometimes months to paint. All miniatures are on smooth white card backed with ivorine to give strength. They were painted in gouache, which as a water based medium enabled me to achieve a greater amount of detail than oil. I used an oil varnish to add intensity and depth to the colours. They are however fundamentally water based images - not oil paintings - therefore very fragile.

Gallery of Miniatures

A gothic ceiling with decorative flowers and a group of people dressed in historical costumes gathered underneath.
A religious painting depicting the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and cherubs, with a landscape visible in the background.
A still life painting of colorful flowers, birds, and berries against a dark background, framed in a gold frame.
Painting of a woman dressed in historical European attire, holding a fan, with a dark background.
Painting of a dog and a small white dog, each with a chain near them, inside a wooden-framed enclosure.
A framed painting of a woman with dark hair, wearing a white high-necked collar, with a black bow in her hair, set against a dark background.
A painting of a vase with sunflowers on a table.

Collections & Publications

Van Gogh Irises miniature painting by Judith Drury.

A World in Miniature Museum

Location: Houghton Hall, Cumbria
Publication: Illustrated Catalogue
Artwork: The Rembrandt Gallery. Van Gogh Irises. Plus others.

Location: Newby Hall, North Yorkshire
Publication: ‘Our Dollhouses’ by Caroline Hamilton & Jane Fiddick
Artwork: Versailles House, Fragonard. Special Treasures, Landseer. Plus others.

Location: Cookie Ziemba Collection, USA
Artwork: The Centurion Cornelius, after Rembrandt.

Famous artwork in miniature titled The Musical Contest, Newby Hall, North Yorkshire.

Decorative Dolls Houses

Author: Caroline Hamilton, Crescent Books.

Masterpieces in Miniature - Dollhouses

Author: Nick Forder.
Publication: Collectors Guides to Illuminate, Inspire & Treasure
Artwork: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I (from the collection of Cookie Ziemba)

Many of my miniatures are held in private collections all over the world.

In the 1980’s a small selection of miniatures were shown on television as part of a programme about the London Dolls House Festival. In 1995 the late Queen Elizabeth II visited ‘A World in Miniature Museum’ and saw my miniature of the Rembrandt ‘Agatha Bass’ from the Royal Collection at Buckingham palace. Later an equerry wrote that “seeing the miniature Rembrandt was a definite highlight’ of her visit.

Queen Elizabeth II visiting ‘A World in Miniature Museum’ and saw miniature of the Rembrandt by Judith Drury.