Open House Celebration with Gerard Klein Hofmeijer Sunday November 13 3-5pm

Please join us for a very special open house celebration of work by Dutch miniaturist Gerard Klein Hofmeijer, visiting from his hometown of Utrecht, Netherlands, on Sunday November 13 from 3-5pm here in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures.

Mr. Klein Hofmeijer will be meeting with guests and sharing details about his work including his signature piece, “Vlamingstraat 42, Delft" created from his study of Vermeers's "The Little Street" painted in 1657. He will also bring some of his tools for an informal discussion and demonstration of his techniques.

Gerard Klein Hofmeijer is a Dutch craftsman and classically trained scientist who has admired, loved and constructed miniatures since childhood. He works in a variety of scales between 1:50 and 1:100 to replicate historic buildings, houses, garden vignettes and 3D facades. His work offers a glimpse into the classic Dutch architectural style of the past and Dutch influence on contemporary design.

“The Little Street” is significant to the study of Vermeer since it is one of only two of the artist’s paintings of views of Delft. The painting has been the topic of much research and dispute regarding the actual location, concluding the site is the present-day 40-42 Vlamingstraat based on substantial archival research of 17th Century Delft quay dues registers. Mr. Klein Hofmeijer’s miniature façade offers us the only known full view of the house, shown partially in Vermeer’s painting and provides a 21st Century insight into a period architecture and life in a Dutch Golden Age town. Gerard’s painstaking attention to detail includes individual bricks sized according to the painting, etched in messing and adorned with mat varnish and pigments to create consummate accuracy in relief and color. His details include cracks in the mortar, aging paint on wooden shutters and an intricate stone sidewalk.

“The Little House” exhibition will run from November 12, 2016 through January 17, 2017 in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in the historic MovieHouse Mews in Hastings-on-Hudson. This event coincides with 5 Dutch Days, hosted by the Netherland-America Foundation, which celebrates the Dutch arts and culture in New York City with a series of events and activities.

All Photos: Pien Spijkers

ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is a retail and gallery destination featuring top quality collectibles including 1/12th scale structure, furniture and accessories. The concept, designed to appeal to collectors, crafters and enthusiasts was created, in part, to raise awareness of miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline not only to a new generation but to those who may just be discovering it! The gallery space showcases work in miniature by well-known artists from all over the world.

Gerard Klein Hofmeijer Preserves Period Dutch Architecture in Fine Miniature Scale

Gerard Klein Hofmeijer, a native of Utrecht, The Netherlands, is a classically trained scientist who has admired, loved and constructed miniatures since childhood. Klein Hofmeijer works in a variety of scales between 1:50 and 1:100 to replicate historic buildings, houses, garden vignettes and 3D facades. His work offers a glimpse into the classic Dutch architectural style of the past and Dutch influence on contemporary design. A special exhibit of Mr. Klein Hofmeijer's 3D facades will be on view in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures starting November 12, 2016 including “Delft,” fashioned after Johannes Vermeer’s “The Little Street” painted in 1657.

“The Little Street” is significant to the study of Vermeer since it is one of only two of the artist’s paintings of views of Delft. The painting has been the topic of much research and dispute regarding the actual location, concluding the site is the present-day 40-42 Vlamingstraat based on substantial archival research of 17th Century Delft quay dues registers. Mr. Klein Hofmeijer’s miniature façade offers us the only known full view of the house, shown partially in Vermeer’s painting and provides a 21st Century insight into a period architecture and life in a Dutch Golden Age town. Gerard’s painstaking attention to detail includes individual bricks sized according to the painting, etched in messing and adorned with mat varnish and pigments to create consummate accuracy in relief and color. His details include cracks in the mortar, aging paint on wooden shutters and an intricate stone sidewalk.

“I feel privileged to show Gerard’s work in my Gallery this Fall” says Darren T. Scala, exhibit curator. “Gerard’s unique techniques, attention to detail and quest for historic accuracy is unparalleled. It offers us a look at the culture that helped to settle the five boroughs of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley and helps us recognize many of the details we see in the architecture that surrounds us today.”

“The Little House” will run from November 12, 2016 through January 17, 2017 in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in the historic MovieHouse Mews in Hastings-on-Hudson. Gerard and his wife Pien Spijkers, an architectural draftsman and photographer, will travel to the lower Hudson Valley and be part of a special open house reception/meet the artist on Sunday, November 13, 2016 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Gerard has graciously agreed to bring some of his tools for his informal discussion and demonstration of his techniques during his visit.

To learn more about the artistry of Gerard Klein Hofmeijer, please visit www.houseinminiature.com. For information on the exhibit and open house reception at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures, call 914-231-9871 or visit dthomasfineminiatures.com.

ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is a retail and gallery destination featuring top quality collectibles including 1/12th scale structure, furniture and accessories. The concept, designed to appeal to collectors, crafters and enthusiasts was created, in part, to raise awareness of miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline not only to a new generation but to those who may just be discovering it! The gallery space showcases work in miniature by well-known artists from all over the world.

Open House Celebration of New Works by IGMA Fellow and Wildlife Miniaturist Beth Freeman-Kane Sunday

Join us on Sunday, October 16 from 3-5pm at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures for a celebration of new works by wildlife miniaturist Beth Freeman-Kane. This is a great chance to meet the artist and review her latest works on exhibition in the Gallery.

A lifelong resident of South Africa, Freeman-Kane (a fellow of the International Guild of Miniature Artisans and signature member of the Miniature Artists of America) creates miniatures utilizing sculpture, painting techniques and mixed media elements that offer a unique view of nature.

“Little things matter!” she says. “My artwork celebrates the significance of small things most often overlooked in nature and I invite the viewer to reinvest attention in the seemingly unworthy or unremarkable.”

In this special exhibit, Ms. Freeman-Kane presents a 1/12th scale miniature scene depicting life both sustained and renewed by unique ecosystem provided by the mighty Hudson River. Her piece features a Belted Kingfisher and a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers resting atop the waters of the Hudson while beneath the water level live various indigenous tiny fish, crabs and frogs. The scene also features several Dragonflies very often observed in the Hudson River Valley, home to the largest number of different dragonfly species in the US.

This will be a special afternoon so we hope you can join us! Kindly call 914-231-9871 or send us an email and RSVP.

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is an online and in-store retail destination featuring artisan dollhouses and top quality collectibles including 1/12th scale furniture and accessories. The shop also offers workshops and classes taught by master artisans.

The concept, designed to appeal to collectors, crafters and enthusiasts at all skill levels and abilities, was created, in part, to raise awareness of miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline not only to a new generation but to those who may just be discovering it!

The shop also features a gallery space showcasing works in miniature by well-known artists from all over the world.

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is located at 579 Warburton Avenue in the village of Hastings-on-Hudson NY. Gallery and shop hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from Noon to 5:00 pm. Evening hours are available by appointment.

For more, follow D. Thomas Fine Miniatures on: Instagram Facebook and Twitter.