Small wonders

Boxwood prayer beads, rosaries and miniature altarpieces made in Northern Europe during the early 1500s demonstrate the limitless potential of human artistic practice. These tiny masterpieces, small enough to fit in the palm of the hand, depict complex scenes with elegance and precision. Without fail, they inspire viewers to ask how a person could have possibly made them, a question that can only be answered today. Debuting in Toronto on Small Wonders: Gothic Boxwood Miniatures, for the first time brings together more than 60 rare boxwood carvings from institutions and private collections across Europe and North America. The exhibition offers new insight into the methods of production and cultural significance of these awe-inspiring works of art, highlighting the cutting edge technology used by curators and conservators in their search to understand these miniature sculptures. Exhibition: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada (29.10.2016-22.01.2017) / The Met Cloisters, NYC, USA (22.02.2017-21.05.2017) / Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (15.06.2017-17.09.2017).