The Miniaturist: Real-Life History

Courtney Harris of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston illuminates the fascinating history of women, dollhouses and Dutch Golden Age society as seen in The Miniaturist.
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[@mxchic05]

I love how she loves her job! ❤

[@KoiYakultGreenTea]

I want this job 🥺🥺🥺

[@HAL-99000]

I love how you love her love for her love

[@thedude8046]

Lovely

[@dianecostanza]

It is still the same reason miniatures is such a huge hobby today, for both men and women. You can create a home that you could never afford in real life.

[@makers.movement]

A fascinating bit of history - I had no idea doll's houses were originally a gift for adult women.

[@classicaldeb]

Me neither!

[@heathercontois4501]

Same. I think I would now like to ancourage my teenagers interest in building and furnishing one of these.

[@alexaez2946]

It not for adults - for more like teenagers - age married at that time is less than 17 year old

[@heathercontois4501]

@@alexaez2946 They were considered grown back then and of marrigeable age. They were no longer considered children.

[@ink3539]

@@heathercontois4501 Yup, teenagers existed of course but they were considered ss adults. I love history but I'm definitely happy I've had a childhood and lazy teenage years

[@victoriabiel5861]

These doll houses are stunning. I too own an adult doll house that I have gradually furnished and decorated over time. This is not an inexpensive hobby. Some of the pieces cost as much as regular life size items. I am now in the process of commissioning a carpenter to build a display cabinet for it. This video is very inspiring for those of us who have embraced this art form.

[@technopoptart]

oh, what sort of design are you going for on the cabinet? is it modeled after a home of the time-period, is it a standard box display where each piece is grouped but not nessisarily in an organic way(like the one in the vid) or is it a general display where the current house will be fitted in?

[@christinecameron1612]

Good miniatures were not cheap. They were tiny but they were made in the exact same way as much larger pieces, especially when it came to silver items. There was a surprising amount of work and skill required to make them.

[@miguelangeldelafuent]

Gracias.

[@Krankhafter]

They still aren’t cheap, at least for pieces that are actually hand made and not mass produced.

[@rullmourn1142]

Ya, we kinda already knew that from the video.

[@chesleecallum6392]

Especially the silver pieces are worth a lot. Collectors pay a lot for it.

[@maggiesmith2600]

I wish they had shown us more of the doll's house. We didn't even get a closeup of most of the rooms.

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

Yeah, I would have watched an hour long documentary on it!

[@PhancyPants99]

watch the show

[@VintageInkBlot]

Extremely interesting! I love learning about pieces or parts of history that are so unique and yet were so common in the period.

[@k.makininayoearle-headley8583]

Me too. Would love to watch this

[@candidmoe8741]

I learned a lot today. You are an excellent teacher!

[@poodledoodlequilter6479]

It's learned there is no such word as "learnt"

[@candidmoe8741]

@@poodledoodlequilter6479 Learned and Learnt are both valid

[@poodledoodlequilter6479]

@@candidmoe8741 I notice you went and edited your post

[@candidmoe8741]

@@poodledoodlequilter6479 Yea. "Learned" looks better to me.

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

This is a little weird.... So nowadays, what comes to mind in terms of collectible miniatures is Re-Ment, from Japan. Re-Ment is known for making these tiny miniature versions of objects, particularly food replicas that you’d normally see in a restaurant’s display windows. I’ve got some Re-Ment miniatures, and I remember reading years ago about how Japanese women, in particular, like collecting these tiny versions of real-life items. It’s interesting that centuries ago, collecting miniatures was still something that was more associated with women than men.

[@XFreezerBunnyX]

Ah this was "The Sims" before the age of computers..

[@rullmourn1142]

Sims is garbage compared to this doll house.

[@somebody4302]

@@rullmourn1142 true that

[@AHD2105]

Thats what I was also thinking..haha

[@AHD2105]

@@rullmourn1142 yes but it's accessible to us minions who can't afford these extravagenses.

[@makaelaischillin]

@@rullmourn1142 Me an avid sims player and dollhouse lover: 👁👄👁

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

I have and always will absolutely, positively ADORE miniatures. The more realistic, the better. I recall a neighbor who would build miniature Victorian houses, exact replicas. And he informed me that in many cases,yes,a house like what he has built can cost as much as a Real house and that furniture too can be as expensive as real furniture. Seeing the quality of the furniture in this video was just breathtaking.

[@cymbamcreynolds8838]

The trailer was just recommended to me. I hope I didn't miss too many episodes because I love well written period shows with female leads and attention to detail

[@athenathegreatandpowerful6365]

There are only two episodes.

[@michelehood8837]

I’ve always been fascinated by doll houses. I never had a nice dollhouse growing up - just one of those mass-produced, ugly tin ones. Today I refurbish doll houses (including the ugly, tin ones!) and doll furnishings and sell them in my Etsy shop. Most are purchased by grown women like myself!

[@jessicab2409]

That is so amazing!!! What is your Etsy? 💘

[@classicaldeb]

Wow! Good for you!

[@maymay3418]

I just remember the doll house in the movie of the ghibli : the secret world of arriety 😊😊

[@hourglass213]

Pretty much!...

[@princessthyemis]

I thought of that, too! LOVE THAT MOVIE!

[@AlbertoGarcia-bx4nq]

Check The serie "Sharp objects"

[@girliebustamante-formalejo6857]

Yah! 😊

[@glennyglen]

I was thinking about that too!

[@guccideltaco]

Never seen this show, but as a kid I was fascinated by and collected miniatures myself (although nothing on this scale).

[@mastersadvocate]

Some of my ancestors came from Amsterdam in the 1640s, and this video explains a lot of what their houses and life would have been like. I've read the book THE MINIATURIST, and found it fascinating! The mini-series is being broadcast and I'm enjoying the story immensely! Thank you, PBS! ~Janet in Canada

[@shaz2868]

I always wanted a dolls house when I was a child. I also love miniature things so this video was amazing.

[@evalynkulp461]

"The Miniaturist" on PBS Masterpiece Theatre. If you haven't watched this you are missing something special. Episodes 1 and 2 are available on You Tube. Episode 3 on PBS next week. Excellent story. Don't miss this!

[@markokassenaar4387]

The staging is very well done, but the story line is even more made up than ‘Amadeus’.

[@TaraFinlay]

I am in the process of converting a piece of furniture - a cabinet- into a cabinet house like this one. Miniatures are so expensive because making them is so much more painstaking than full-sized items. Materials at the proper scale are often quite thin and difficult to work with.

[@marygr1020]

I'm old. And I've been fascinated with miniatures my whole life. I have some that are from 40 years ago.

[@makinitmyway213]

THE SHOW WAS AMAZING CANT WAIT TO SEE THE OTHER EPISODES

[@lorrainemadison8569]

I so after. I heard about this show from youtuber 'Only on my dreams'channel bc she makes miniatures, as well as dollar tree hauls etc. Anyway I just saw first episode last night , looking 4ward to the next 2. It's only on 3 parts. Ugh.

[@fizzybacon2388]

Wish they showed the details within the doll's house more...

[@blackmoth2595]

yes, you're right... i prefer to know more about the dollhouse and the details inside it rather than that series or drama

[@skippymagrue]

The miniature houses at the Rijksmuseum was my favorite part of the museum.

[@Rabbittomaru]

It's mesmerizing how this smart lady explained the story well-detailed just like the masterpiece of The Miniaturist Doll's House.

[@sheilafarzani595]

Amazing! Attention to detail and craftsmanship. Such precious works of art.

[@lizziewalker9374]

I loved this short series, seeing all the miniatures and the back stories from Masterpiece.

[@ellenspear50]

This video is a great supplement to the drama and book. Fascinating.

[@wendyecrain9253]

I love the show and thank you for telling the history of the doll house.

[@clairejosefsson291]

The beginning of the Sims

[@user-ig8mk2wu1g]

Such an interesting piece - learned a lot . Love PBS - I'm definitely going to check this show out! Looks really interesting!

[@rullmourn1142]

Now i want to watch the series. First saw Anya in The Witch 2016, I love her she's a skillful actress with exotic beauty.

[@sussanmartinez4374]

Oh my goodness. Loooove this. Will watch for sure ASAP

[@faery221]

Loving the Series!

[@moraimarodriguez-maura6818]

Thank you for such an informative insight into the past.

[@MicaRayan]

So detailed.... such great artisans

[@fukutaichou1903]

It's perfectly splendid!

[@lite-ck5mj]

😂😂😂😂😂😂💯... Bly manor

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

I am getting so many ideas for the ones which are in my grandma’s basement from these!!!

[@mayj257]

Very much enjoyed this presentation about Doll houses

[@ZoeyCLR78]

This a great video !! Its nice to know the history behind movies like this. Just makes watching the movie even better.😃

[@jazzmoos5382]

Any dollhouse that’s fully furnished is incredibly valuable, whether old or new. This is an expensive hobby.

[@junebhattacharjee9669]

Ornamental and awesome artifacts ♥️🌷♥️♥️🌷♥️

[@SuperTuffgirl]

History is so fascinating to me. That was a great video!

[@gihankanishka]

the show was amazing and the Dutch golden age is amazing !

[@maggied8468]

Very nicely presented program. The lady does an excellent job. Beautiful dolls house and really interesting information. Thank you

[@bethanycook8124]

This is amazing!

[@cherylbusch6236]

Wonderful background information-thanks PBS for “filling in the blanks.” Definitely, gives a new perspective on “doll house.”

[@moraimarodriguez-maura6818]

I was privileged to go on a field trip to see the Fanarge collection in Miami, Florida many years ago, this was very similar in the miniature complexity.

[@zoefang4563]

Omg

[@marshacreary2442]

That was insightful commentary

[@claudias.4172]

Beautifully doll house! with all those details.

[@lmk9229]

There's also an amazing collection of old dollshouses in the national museum in Copenhagen. Definitely worth visiting.

[@TobiDecadance]

This mini documentary is equally as good as the book!

[@joeartega1712]

I saw this on masterpiece theater....great

[@susanlaroza927]

LOVE IT

[@tinasuarez61]

I would Love to have a few pieces of this furniture.😍 I Love Miniatures & Love this show!📺 The season was to short-only 3 episodes. 🙁

[@classicaldeb]

Sooooo interesting! I had no idea that's what was happening in that era with wealthy women. I'm obsessed with miniatures!

[@Garland67]

Fascinating history. I would love to see one of the original surviving dollhouses!

[@elsakristina2689]

It’s pretty much the 17th century equivalent of playing The Sims.

[@RobertoPoncebk]

In 1990 I saw the exhibition called The Castle of Titania, a miniature house given as a gift from a father to his small daughter from Victorian England, I guess, displayed in a big room with glass to see the marvellous little pieces, at Legoland in Denmark. Lovely! Saludos desde México.

[@Lupis_dea]

5:23 Ok, DOES NO ONE ELSE SEE THAT SHADOW MOVE AND SIT STILL IN THE MIDDLE ENTRY WAY MIRROR!! I am spooked!!!

[@lingeringquestions519]

I saw it. Maybe, equpment moved and it was caught in the mirror.

[@Lupis_dea]

Lingering Questions 5 it moved way to fast and stopped to quickly to do that. I don’t know what the purpose of moving the equipment would be too.

[@lingeringquestions519]

Maybe, they edited it in.

[@FlabbergastedFirefly]

Honestly I just believe that it was someone or something moving behind the camera, no big deal :)

[@sarahrazman4771]

I see it. That was scary though. As if someone came to listen to

[@kittylozon2106]

Ahhh... the " Take a look but don't touch " type of collection... my kind of thing.

[@cynthiajuarez5855]

That dollhouse is pretty that you showed that's based on true story cuz I saw that story of the miniaturist and it's a very good movie I wish I had that movie cuz I would watch it again but it's a beautiful movie and she has beautiful doll furniture in it when they show it on the movie thanks for sharing that with us

[@123Fanan]

Love it

[@mimmoma3392]

Preciosas piezas.

[@kateoconnor30030]

The ending was so sad and I don’t think I’m gonna be okay after it

[@mustbgeo7909]

What’s the movie call

[@raihanabowman7857]

@ 5:26 look at the tiny mirror in the centre room, a black figure of a tiny person runs across it I slowed it down and watched it 10 times and still get the shivers

[@theresaposey]

very interesting video

[@d.l.l.6578]

I would like to see more closeups of the dollhouse itself.

[@maunster3414]

I was thinking that, too.

[@RhapsodyOfJoy]

Thank you, Ms Harris, you were wonderful. Does anyone know the names of the musical pieces used, please?

[@Luboman411]

Now I want to watch this movie. What a truly bizarre tradition. Calvinists: "You can't show off your wealth, it is ungodly and un-Christian. But we'll give you this loophole where you can pretend to be very wealthy in a dollhouse. Yet because this is the very symbol where you are allowed to show your wealth, you are allowed to furnish it with real valuables, and such trinkets within these dollhouses will increase in value so markedly that they will, in time, become as valuable as REAL, ACTUAL HOUSES. Hosannah in the highest!" LOL. Calvinism. This is why the Puritans in New England were also incredibly bizarre...

[@kimihirowatanuki8401]

go watch please, it's series btw, IMDB mentions there are 3 episodes, sadly i can only watch two of them on Netflix, and it was adapted from the book.. really amusing and entertaining series..❤️❤️

[@djenkins7566]

Exactly. The extreme, almost theatrical, piety and repression undoubtedly lead to mental illness and rank hypocrisy in the calvinists. That's why the acted so bizarre.

[@Aeonterbor]

@@kimihirowatanuki8401 Wikipedia says there are only two episodes for some reason.

[@kimihirowatanuki8401]

@@Aeonterbor yeap, it's based on the book right? hopefully can see more of it, guess it's not enough with only two episodes..🙃🙃

[@innerlight4601]

Unbelievable 😲😲😲

[@ArtGardens]

As a small child, this used to be my favourite item to look at when we visited the museum often. In utrecht not Amsterdam. Unless its moved?? ...... www.centraalmuseum.nl/nl/ontdek/verhalen/poppenhuis

[@marinagarcia3453]

I think its a different house thanthe one inthe video but I think its even more amazing

[@resonanceytv]

the male narrators voice is really captivating

[@normaabascal7836]

Lo pueden traducirlo al español gracias saludos desde Guanajuato Gto, México

[@SuzanaMantovaniCerqueira]

And if i have lot of money I will buy one exactly like that. It is my only children’s dream. A dolls house. 😍 Actually: Miniatures. It is amazing!

[@fortune_roses]

Polly Pocket! This is so intricate and beautiful.. I wonder why there are no figures to live in the rooms

[@LoyDollhouse]

I felt inspired to make the miniatures.

[@clipklein378]

Vermeer’s paintings entered the chat

[@aimieb]

i can't believe that really was a thing !

[@lightdarkequivalent7143]

Having a Doll's House Looks therapeutic Probably is But probably more harder than The Sims

[@NS-lx4hx]

The doll house was the first metaverse

[@abadstroller]

WANT. ❤️

[@FreyaVal]

The actual history: Petronella was actually not gifted the dollhouse but she purchased it herself because she was filthy rich.

[@phoeben9764]

Anyone know what background songs they used for this video?

[@artificialpanda7173]

Huh. My Dutch grandma had one of those but she died when I was very young and none of us know the purpose of it. I remember my father tearing down the pieces to make bird house

[@googleuser4053]

Where can i watch it ?

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Read this novel, was disappointed, too much hype but to see these miniature exquisite doll houses- wow, I'd never leave the house! Given the rarity of these exquisite treasures, does anybody know in today's currency, how much one would cost-

[@MakeMiniatures]

The house that's on view in Boston, the one this curator is talking about, was sold at the TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) for a cool 1.75 million Euros (in 2017 I believe). The price is due to the rarity of the silver miniatures, not the cabinet or the dolls' house that was recreated inside it.

[@kimihirowatanuki8401]

am i the only one wondering who's Patronella's daughter? love to watch the rest of The Miniaturist, but some tv host only broadcasts two episodes of them but IMDB mentions there are three episodes..👄❤️ please anyone, The Miniaturist fans, tell me where i can watch the 3rd episode, thanks..

[@marissabones]

I never knew

[@athena6694]

read the novel people!!!

[@rosea2455]

She is as impressive as the doll house and all its contents.

[@CM-ii9os]

Follow the link to see the Dolls' House of Petronell Oortman. www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/BK-NM-1010

[@najeehaamid5194]

What moved in the mirror in middle room, 2nd floor at 5:25

[@JustAnotherAsianGuy2]

what it's value ?

[@itsfunnyhowtimeflys3690]

Only 3 episodes...Why...It should be longer, at least give us 10 episodes...I wan to know what happens next...

[@misslotalotus1500]

anya!

[@sogno_di_carta6430]

Wow

[@BhumikaBhavya]

Didn't know it was a *doll's house* and not a *doll house* .

[@coopsevy5664]

That would be fun to make one of these.

[@shafiamubashir5168]

The layout of the house looks like the house from the game "haunt the house"