Definitions of a miniature and society rules

The Miniaturist by Eleanor Torr Actual size 4 cm x 5.5 cm Oil on ivorine

Definitions of what constitutes a miniature work of art vary from society to society. We hope this page will be useful to artists planning to submit to the exhibitions of the society of their choice.

For a more general overview on what is a miniature, please see

• www.art-in-miniature.org/whatmin.htm
• The Association of Miniature Artists
• www.artofwildlife.com/miniature_definition.html

Here is an essay by Wesley Siegrist on defining miniature art.

Australian Society of Miniature Art (Qld) Inc.

Australian Society of Miniature Art (NSW) Inc.

The actual art work must not exceed 100 square cm (10cm x 10cm) or any variation under this size (e.g. 12m x 8cm). The 1/6th scale, that is 1/6th the size of an object or person in nature, has not been adopted by this society, but the "spirit of miniaturisation" must always be maintained.

A miniature can convey all the beauty and power of a larger work of art but has the added appeal of being a particularly personal object. The viewer must view the work at close range to obtain a full appreciation of both the image and technique. The miniature has always had a feeling of preciousness associated with it due in part to the fact that it can usually be held in the palm of your hand.

Australian Society of Miniature Art (Victoria)

• Painted area not to exceed 100 sq. cm. (10cm x 10cm)
• Overall frame size not to exceed 20cm x 20cm

Australian Society of Miniature Art (Tasmania)

The Hilliard Society of Miniaturists, UK

Generally, paintings should not be larger than 5 x 7 inches [or 35 square inches, or 24 inches when dimensions are added together], inclusive of framing. Portrait heads should be no larger than 2 inches. Sculptures should not be larger than 6 inches [15.2 cm] in any direction.

Subjects of any sort should be less than life size. Every detail of the work should be miniaturised, showing a high standard of design, and mastery of technique in chosen media and palette. The work must stand close inspection. A miniature needs all the same criteria of good composition, drawing and use of media as larger work.

Work may be rejected for exhibition if the frames, mounts and bases are not in keeping with the fine work presented, or have marks inside the glass from poor cleaning, or are of a lesser quality of craftsmanship than the normally high standard demanded for Society entries.

The Israel Miniature Society

Paintings: maximum image size 9 X 9cm within a frame no larger than 15 X 15cm (10 X 10cm is accepted if the work was created before 2005). Wooden frames only accepted. Works on paper must be framed with glass.
Sculptures: maximum size 7.5 X 7.5 X 8cm.

The Society of Limners

Miniatures should be painted to a scale of 1/6th life size or less. With regard to small objects such as insects and flowers this rule is flexible so long as the spirit of a miniature is retained in the work. i.e. the traditional method of stippling and hatching. Doll's house paintings should be 1/12th life size. In portrait miniatures, the head must not be larger than 2 inches [5 cm] including hair, wig, or hat. Faces and hair should be stippled and hatched, clothing may be painted more freely.

The 2 inch [5 cm] size rule also applies to buildings, still-life objects and silhouettes.

Framing

• Rectangular miniatures must not exceed 7 x 5 ins [17.5 x 12.5 cm] including the frames. Wooden frames must not be more than 1 inch [2.5 cm] wide and 3/4 inch [2 cm] deep.
• Miniatures in wooden frames must be kept in place with pins and the back covered with masking tape to cover the pins.
• Hangers must not protrude (e.g. small screw rings) and a small triangular fitting placed top centre is preferred.
• Circular frames must not exceed 4 inches [10 cm].
• Mounts must not exceed 1 inch [2.5 cm] and dead white mounts are not acceptable.
• Glass, frames and mounts must all be good quality, clean and in keeping with the painting.
• Unsold pictures may not be exhibited again for 3 years.

Miniature Art Society of South Africa

• A drawing, painting or sculpture must adhere to the one-sixth guide This means that a human head approximately 228mm high must be rendered 38mm or less: a rose which is 120mm should be depicted as 20mm or less. These measurements are accepted world-wide.
• The OUTSIDE measurement of a framed work may not exceed 170mm x 170mm IN AREA including the moulding of the frame.
• The frame should be narrow enough to embody the spirit of miniaturism and must be in proportion to the image. In a mounted work the moulding should be no wider than 25mm and in an unmounted work, 30mm. All works under glass must have a mount, or at least, a "slip" to keep the image from touching the glass.
• Acid-free materials must be used wherever possible.
• Small subjects which do not lend themselves to the one-sixth rule must be rendered "in the spirit of miniaturism". Here the discretion of the selection committee will apply.
• Abstract works should be in harmony with the delicate spirit of miniaturism.
• Sculpture, which must be of lasting materials, should fit within a 170mm cube including the base.
• Prints of any technique must be hand-pulled and of a numbered series.
• The artist's signature should be neat and very small.
• No jewellery, crafts, computer or photographic techniques are acceptable
• Silhouettes and collages are permitted

The Differences Between Small Paintings and Miniature Art.