A11: Rhode Island Parlor, c. 1820 c. 1940

This is Narcissa Niblack Thorne's "Rhode Island Parlor, c. 1820," a miniature room crafted with incredible attention to detail. Thorne’s approach to recreating this interior feels really process-oriented, it is like she is really in touch with all of the different elements and materials that make up the room. I love the contrast between the smooth, polished wood of the floor and furniture and the delicate, textured fabric of the rug and curtains. The muted color palette, dominated by creams, browns, and reds, creates a sense of warmth and intimacy. Take a look at the fireplace; the intricate carvings and subtle variations in the white paint suggest the passage of time, like the mantlepiece has been lovingly restored again and again. This particular detail, like the rest of the scene, gives the impression of a real lived-in space, not just a sterile representation. Thorne's work reminds me of Charles LeDray, another artist who creates miniature worlds with an obsessive level of detail. Both artists invite us to see the world in a new way, to appreciate the beauty and complexity of everyday objects. Ultimately, Thorne's parlor is not just a recreation of a historical space, but a meditation on memory, nostalgia, and the enduring power of art.