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.

While we will do our best to keep this information up to date, please always check carefully with the submission guidelines of each society before posting your work.

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.(this society has now disbanded)

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)

Cider Painters of America

Unique in that we have a size restriction for our work to be smaller than 3 ins x 5 ins. With this in mind we have become one of the societies with the smallest paintings. We only accept painting medias or other non-traditional medias handled in a painterly way. Our members paint in the tradition of miniaturism following the belief that any subject suitable for a larger work may also be used to create a masterpiece in miniature.

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.

Miniature Art Society of Florida

• 1. All entries must be original, not previously exhibited in any MASF International Show, by living artists 18 years or older.
  Exceptions:
  (a) Reference material no longer under copyright: Any portrayal of historical figures, places or things using as a reference another artist’s painting or photo, can be accepted if proper credit is given to the original artist, but cannot compete for an award.
  (b) Reference material under copyright: A copy of the written permission from the copyright holder must be attached to the entry form.
• 2. The following show standards will apply:
  A. Definitions:
  i. Miniature paintings and sculptures are fine art on a small scale, with minute attention to detail, which can be enlarged or withstand close inspection without revealing its faults.
  ii. Use as a guideline (not a rule) the following for a general definition of small scale: A representational subject should be no larger than 1/6th of its actual size. Example: An adult human head (measuring from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin) is about 9 inches. One-sixth (1/6th) of its actual size indicates that the head should be no larger than 1½inches.
  Exceptions:: (a) Subjects too small for portrayal in 1/6th or smaller of its actual size, may meet the spirit of a miniature if the work meets the above definition of miniature art.
  (b) Non-representational work such as abstracts or surrealism may meet the spirit of a miniature if all other factors in the definition of miniature art are met.
  B. Image size not to exceed 25 square inches.
  C. Frames –Frames – maximum size not to exceed 64 square inches. Frame depth, including hanging hardware may not exceed 2 inches. Frames must be consistent with fine art work with neatly covered backs. The frame will be considered part of the artwork and be juried for acceptance into the show. (Not accepted - Sectional metal frames
  D. Each framed entry must be ready to hang with single point hardware such as a single screw eye or a “D“ Ring on the back top center of the frame and have one Velcro pad (Male/hook side) adhered to the bottom center. Works that already have traditional hanging wires installed will be accepted if they also have the single point provision. If the work already has two Velcro pads on the lower back corners that will be accepted.
  E. Sculpture may not exceed 8”x 8”x 8” including base and must be firmly attached to the base or stand freely if no base is needed. Each sculpture must be individually boxed. Individually boxed sculptures should then be combined into one box.
  F. All prints and cast sculpture must have an edition number. (Example 1/25)
  G. All prints must be hand pulled by the artist.
  H. Jewelry, crafts, functional work, photographic work or computer techniques will NOT be accepted.
  
• 3. No more than one “ Not For Sale“ per artist. Please see clarification of value determination policy for “NFS“ items on the NOTES PAGE, item 5.
• 4. Price work no lower than $100.00 in increments of $5.00. Prints may be priced as low as $75.00. Remember to consider the 30% commission for sales.

Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society of Washington D.C

• 1. Original works in any traditional media, prints from original plates, or sculptures will be considered for exhibition, providing they have not been exhibited at previous MPSGS shows. As a general guideline, the work should embody the spirit of a miniature. The frame or mounting should be in the same spirit. Up to three works may be submitted.
• 2. Crafts and art works produced by photographic, giclee, laser, or digital techniques will not be accepted.
• 3. The overall area of the image must not exceed 25 square inches (156 sq cm) (i.e., 5” x 5” or 3” x 8-1/3”). Outside dimension of frame must not exceed 56 square inches (360 sq cm) (i.e., 7” x 8”).
• 4. Framed work must be ready to be hung. Small rings for hanging are acceptable or fine wires attached to small screw eyes. Small Velcro patches are to be affixed on the back bottom corners (rough hook part). Frames should be in proportion to the work. Matted works should be covered with glass or rigid plastic. The backs of framed works should be neatly covered. *Sectional metal, plastic, and dollhouse frames; photo frames with easel backs; and frames more than one inch wide or deep will not be accepted.
• 5. NOTE SIZE OF SCULPTURES HAS BEEN CHANGED. Sculptures may not exceed 6 inches (15 cm) in any dimension including the base. The work should stand on its own if not mounted on a base. Sculpture not in the spirit of a miniature will not be accepted.
• 6. For numbered prints or cast sculptures, indicate edition no.
• PRICES/SALES The minimum asking price in this Exhibit is $100. Prices must be set in $5 increments (the median asking price for the last Exhibit was $250). Each exhibitor may enter one work NFS (not for sale), only if three works are submitted. NFS will be applied if no price is indicated on the entry form. A commission of 35% will be charged on all sales.
• THE SPIRIT OF A MINIATURE This unique art form, based on a minute scale, traces its roots back to the book paintings and illuminated manuscripts set in the 7th century. A work of fine art in miniature is a particularly personal object that draws the viewer into an intimate, concentrated little world that is breathtaking in its execution. Every single detail is miniaturized – the scale of the subject matter, the brush or pencil strokes – so that only with high magnification can one behold the immaculate details of the artist's technique which may include stippling, hatching or pointillism. These techniques are a specialized means of producing a perfect balance of color and detail in a series of thinly applied layers of exquisite color intended to reflect light. The miniatures show a high standard of design and the artist’s mastery of the chosen media and palette.

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

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers

• Works in any medium on any material may be submitted, provided they are in keeping with miniature techniques and all work is subject to selection by the Selection Committee. Size Limits on Portraits or Subject Matter
• Heads or other objects which are the primary focus of the work must not be larger than 2 inches (for humans, 'heads' is interpreted as 'heads with normal hairstyles' and does not include hats, head-dresses or unusual built-up hairstyles; for animals or birds, 'heads' includes ears and beaks.) Animal heads may also be portraits, but cannot fall under the N.F.S rule. Royal portraits are admissible only if they are bona fide commissions for which sittings have been granted, or historical, or by the Selection Committee's special permission.

• The maximum overall sizes for miniatures including picture, frame and mount if any, are: Rectangles and Ovals 4.5" x 6", Squares 4.5" x4.5" Rounds 4.5" diameter. Mounts must not be wider than 0.75" top and sides with 1" at the bottom or 0.75 inches all round. Frames should not be wider than 1" nor deeper than 0.75" and cannot be placed if they are very heavy. Sculpture should not exceed 8" across the longest measurement.

• Frames should be of good quality and hold the miniature work, mounts and glass securely. Pay particular attention to the mounts, they should be cut absolutely straight and not visibly overcut at the corners. Dead white mounts are not admissible. Sellotape or masking tape sealing of the back of the miniature is not acceptable. The glass must be clean, particularly inside. Non-reflective glass is not allowed. Adherence to these rules is necessary as bad presentation may prejudice acceptance. There should be absolutely no stands or other protrusions such as screw eyes on the backs of miniatures which make them difficult to hang and secure in the raked showcases, although D-rings which lie flat are acceptable.

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.

The Differences Between Small Paintings and Miniature Art.