Some say that good things come in small packages. And perhaps it's the same with art. Although many artists in history have focused on rather large sized paintings, some painters have created very small masterpieces that contain the most incredible details. Here are some of the smallest artworks, created throughout the ages of art history.
Middle Ages
- Limbourg brothers (1385 - 1416) - Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (circa 1410)
- This special books of hours is not only tiny, it's impressive! It contains beautifully historiated letters and 131 miniatures. Books of hours were used for personal devotion and contained illuminated prayers. The aptly named 'Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry' was ordered by John, Duke of Berry, and made by the Limbourg brothers. The 206 lavishly decorated pages measure only 21.5 x 30 cm. It’s the most famous illuminated Gothic manuscript of the Medieval Ages and the best surviving example of a French Gothic manuscript.
Golden Age
- Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 - 1669) - Self Portrait (1630)
- Rembrandt created nearly 100 self portraits in his lifetime, but this tiny 15 x 12.2 cm example has quite the story behind it. It was originally purchased in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, for the sum of just 35 florins. It then went on to be part of several collections before coming to the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1956. In December 2000, there was an armed robbery at the Nationalmuseum and 3 paintings were stolen, including this self portrait on copper. In 2005, the painting was recovered and returned to the museum just in time for the opening of their Dutch painting of the Golden Age exhibition. And if you like happy endings, you'll be pleased to know that the other 2 stolen paintings were recovered as well.
Image Source: Codart
Neoclassicism
- Jean Baptiste Weyler (1747-1791) - Oval Miniature Portrait (1785-1790)
- Jean Baptiste Weyler was one of the most famous miniature portrait makers in the eighteenth century. He made beautiful small portraits on little pendants, usually made in gouache, watercolour or enamel. The portraits were inspired by miniature manuscript paintings and they became very popular amongst the 16th century royals and elites in France and England. The portable medals were used almost like a business card or to carry a portrait of a loved one. The most famous oval miniature, made by Jean Baptiste Weyler, measures only 9.6 x 6.9 cm.
Modernism
- Paul Klee (1879 - 1940) - Small Rhythmic Landscape (1920)
- Paul Klee was a leading artist in the beginning of the 20th century. The Swiss born painter was part of the German expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter and later became a professor at the Bauhaus. This painting is only 27.8 x 21.5 cm, showing Klee’s later style. It does not represent any specific location, but he tried to create a symphony on the canvas by merging colours, space and light.
Contemporary Art
- Jin Yin Hua – The Portraits of 42 American Presidents (2006)
- Chinese artist Jin Yin Hua makes micro paintings. He paints images on a single human hair, using a rabbit hair paintbrush. To be able to see what he is doing, the artist uses a microscope while he paints. In 2006 he painted the portraits of 42 American presidents, which look eerily realistic. To be able to see the images, you have to use a magnifier and zoom in a million times.
Image Source: WorldArtMiracle
Throughout art history, painters have always been interested in stretching the boundaries of art and exploring new media. With working on small-sized paintings, artists were able to express their art in a very detailed and subtle way. Want to buy an artwork yourself? Look at our Classic Art auction and see what there is to discover.
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