A17: Pennsylvania Kitchen, 1752
c. 1940
Miniature room, mixed media
61.3 × 121.3 cm (24.1 × 47.8 in)
SEE IT IN PERSON
● On view now — Gallery 11
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026
Discussion
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
Narcissa Thorne aimed to design convincingly lived-in miniature interiors; to contend with the absent fourth wall, she employed techniques of stage design. Here, for instance, the chairs around the kitchen table face outward, and the pieces of furniture are arranged so as not to obstruct one another. This careful placement allows viewers to see each element while also encouraging them to imagine scenes playing out within the space.
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