Miniature Rooms: The Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago

by Fannia Weingartner, Bruce Hatton Boyer (Introduction)

The Thorne Rooms, sixty-eight miniature models of European interiors from the 16th century on and American furnishings from the 17th century on, have entranced generations of visitors to the Art Institute of Chicago. This charming book showcases these rooms, featuring full-color views of each one as well as eight two-page spreads of some of the most spectacular interiors. The introductory essay by Bruce Hatton Boyer chronicles how Chicago socialite Mrs. James Ward Thorne conceived the rooms. They were made between 1934 and 1940 by a number of skilled craftsmen according to her exacting specifications. Many of the rooms were inspired by specific interiors in historic houses, palaces, and sites Mrs. Thorne visited during her travels, and Fannia Weingartner’s individual commentaries provide information about each one. In addition, a number of Mrs. Thorne’s original drawings are reproduced to actual scale.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

184 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1983

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baroque, Rococo, Georgian. These are just some of the architectural styles illustrated in the book. Mrs. Thorne, who was a socialite in the early 1900's in Chicago, was very capable and passionate about pursuing her goal of establishing a museum of miniature rooms, with expertise from a team of craftsmen, showcasing different architectural and interior design elements of mostly French, English and American houses from the 1700's to the early 1900's. The scale of rooms are one inch to one foot. The introduction of the book offers interesting insight into how Mrs. Thorne came up with the idea of the Miniature Rooms. As she was married to the son of the co-founder of Montgomery Ward and Company, she and her husband were wealthy enough to travel extensively around Europe. In the wake of enormous changes in European society after WWI, Mrs. Thorne was afforded incredible opportunities to acquire numerous miniature objects of ex-royalty families who had to sell off their prized possessions that they used to decorate their so-called royal dollhouses. At one point, her collection of miniature objects was so large she had to rent a separate building next to her home in Chicago just to store them. This book offers a decent history and explanation of the origin of the Miniature Rooms.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful companion to the The Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventures by Marianne Malone, as well as a great look at the Throne Rooms.

[Frederic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a treasure to anyone who has spent time marveling at the miniature rooms in the Art Institute of Chicago. Great photographs, and drawings of some of the pieces, and text that not only describes but gives some details of the processes behind the rooms. Another beautifully produced book from Yale press.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

These rooms at the Art Institute are amazing to see in person and this book has wonderful photographs as well as the story of how the rooms were made. Looking at the incredible detail in the pictures, it is hard to believe how small these are, even if you have seen them in Chicago.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I read the whole thing. Yes, I took the book to the museum. Yes, I gave my dad a guided tour of all 68 rooms whether he wanted one or not. Yes, I am a huge nerd.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. I hope everyone who reads 68 Rooms at least looks at this.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved seeing these rooms again, seeing as I haven't been to Chicago in a long while!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great companion while reading the Sixty-Eight Rooms fiction series for children by Marianne Malone.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing companion to the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago.