The Art and Maintenance of Narcissa Niblack Thorne’s Miniature Rooms

The Art Institute of Chicago holds a captivating exhibit of 68 miniature rooms, displaying a historical perspective on interior design. These miniatures, reflecting different periods and locales, are encased behind windows within the gallery walls. Each room is crafted to a 1:12 scale, mimicking the size of a shoebox.

Historical Significance and Design

These miniature rooms, designed by Narcissa Niblack Thorne, are not merely dollhouses. Mrs. Thorne, rooted in one of Chicago’s affluent families, aimed to educate people about interior decoration principles. She traveled extensively to collect miniatures and collaborated with Chicago artisans in the 1930s to bring her vision to life.

One exemplary room depicting London in the 1930s shows a living room scene. The setup includes a cocktail set and the magazine Country Life, creating an authentic period look. Another design, an “English Drawing Room of the Modern Period,” showcases its creamy walls and high ceilings, echoing Thorne’s design ethos.

“They are not doll houses, and they would educate and inform visitors on the principles of good taste,” said Kit Maxwell, department curator.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining these miniatures is a meticulous process. Museum experts like Kit Maxwell and art handler Jonathan Worcester ensure these rooms remain pristine. Worcester, who has worked with the exhibit for years, approaches each cleaning session with great care. His role involves not only maintaining but also coordinating the display and repair of these miniature treasures.

The cleaning routine occurs at least twice annually. It requires precision tools like brushes and air blowers. Cleaning sessions can stretch from one to three hours, focusing on eliminating dust and soot to preserve the miniatures’ integrity.

Worcester begins the process by unlocking the glass casing and disassembling the minuscule furniture. After cleaning the interior, he addresses any adjacent mini-rooms, accessing them from behind. Photographic records help in restoring each item to its original placement.

Worcester described his careful routine:

“Patience is key; it’s about being extremely careful and diligent,” he explained.

Among the collections, the California Hallway stands out with its modern art gallery theme. Thorne commissioned original paintings from renowned artists such as Fernand Léger, enhancing the room’s artistic value.