To create miniature artistic works is a constantly labored challenge. Already from prehistoric times sculptures of venus appeared, which alluded to fertility, in small scale. Their size permitted portability, such that required a refined use of the medium by the creator. The challenge continues through the years and miniatures continue to fascinate those who observe them, inviting the viewer into a more intimate and profound dialogue. Case in point is the show by master José Apaza who engages us with a whole exhibit of small works of art.

The miniature drawings and paintings have been present in the history of art from ancient time. In ancient Egypt there is presence of illustrations of small size. The most ancient miniature is The Book of the Dead, which is placed beneath the head of the dead as a ritual. It consists of rolls of papyrus leaves written in hieroglyphs and are represented as amulets, a large quantity of texts about incantations and rites of the funeral ritual and the next eternal life. It's date is of around 1900 AD and their function was to help the deceased's soul in the difficult transition from this life to the world of the hereafter.

In the Middle Ages miniatures acquired great importance. In monasteries, as great centers of knowledge, the enlightened books were all luxuriously wrought, and beautifully illustrated. The subject matter represented might allude to the written text, simply present decorated illustrations of the first letter of the paragraph or show vegetable and arabesque motifs as a matter of ornamentation. Medieval miniatures were of wonderful color and magnificent manufacture, which were found in bibles, prayer books, psalm books, sacred histories, devotionals and certificates of nobility. Shortly after, in the Gothic world, illustrated books had the function of disseminating artistic trends. With careful calligraphy and rich illustrations these books contributed to the cultural dissemination of diverse knowledge centers in Europe.

In the Byzantine period, miniatures were one of the most important artistic manifestations. Conversely, the Islamic world produced these small and delicate pieces, of extraordinary beauty, which emerged when scientific books about medicine, botany or zoology were translated from the Arabic, which already circulated in the hellenized towns. The first Islamic school of miniature painting was in the frame of the "House of Wisdom", where copies of the greco-latin texts were made.

Miniature portraits develop after the XVI century. They consisted of small portraits framed within medallions, watches, jewelry boxes and other similar objects, generally in oval medallions. This new type of painting is created in the new oil medium, on cloth, copper, tin and ivory. And if the medium was liquid it was done on parchment or thick paper.

In New Spain miniatures were also present. Extraordinary paintings were made such as in nuns' escutcheons, delicate pieces in which were placed images of saints or virgins to whom the nuns were devoted. These small pieces are considered among the most representative of the Neohispanic art. This world of viceroys produces pieces of diverse themes, historical scenes, painters of customs, landscapes, as well as, the presence of patriotic symbols. This variety is a sample of the large production of paintings of small size produce during that era.   Continued >>