Gerard Klein Hofmeijer at work

Gerard Klein Hofmeijer, Artisan

Gerard Klein Hofmeijer, a native of Utrecht, The Netherlands, is a classically trained scientist who has admired, loved and constructed miniatures since childhood. Klein Hofmeijer works in a variety of scales between 1:50 and 1:100 to replicate historic buildings, houses, garden vignettes and 3D facades. His work offers a glimpse into the classic Dutch architectural style of the past and Dutch influence on contemporary design.

Delft Facade after Vermeer’s Little Street

Replicas

Klein Hofmeijer creates replicas of existing homes, shops, farms or business premises. He also accepts commissions to reconstruct models of buildings that no longer exist. He feels his miniatures stand out because of the attention to detail. Handicraft and patience are combined with great thoroughness. Collector’s items are the result.

Facades

As well as full-scale model replicas, Klein Hofmeijer creates characteristic facades. These structures are fittedin displays that can be hung on the wall. A well-known example of such facades is the “Little Street,” at a detail of the Vermeer painting of the same name. It offers us the only known full view

Vermeer’s “Little Street” painted in 1657 and found on Essential Vermeer

of the house, shown partially in Vermeer’s painting and provides a 21st Century insight into a period architecture and life in a Dutch Golden Age town.

Klein Hofmaeijer’s painstaking attention to detail includes individual bricks sized according to the painting, etched in messing and adorned with mat varnish and pigments to create consummate accuracy in relief and color. His details include cracks in the mortar, aging paint on wooden shutters and an intricate stone sidewalk.

Click here for a lovely video of the “Little Street” facade. It has a great soundtrack, one of Eric Sate’s Gymnopedies. No. 2, I think.

Gerard Klein Hofmeijer’is work was on view in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures in Hastings-On-Hudson from November 13, 2016 through January 2017.

Susan Downing, with Patrick Owens

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