In the field of art, British artist David Lindon has accomplished a remarkable achievement by developing what is being described as the “world’s first wearable art gallery.” Three of the iconic Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh’s most well-known works, including Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Self Portrait, are on display in the exhibition. The scale of these masterpieces, which is smaller than the size of a needle’s eye and is approximately 0.5 millimeters, is what distinguishes this wearable gallery, though. This makes them invisible to the naked eye, thus a microscope is required to appreciate their amazing beauty.
Lindon dedicated an astonishing two months to meticulously embed each miniature painting into the watch, which is now available for sale at a staggering $192,544 (£150,000). The creation of this exquisite collection, known as the Van Gogh Trilogy, was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the renowned Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Describing the process of crafting these tiny masterpieces, Lindon shared his immense challenges in controlling his hands and breath while working on such a minute scale. In his blog post, he expressed that the true enchantment of his art is fully appreciated when one gazes through the microscope, revealing the magic, intricate details, and depth that photographs fail to capture.
To avoid disturbances and concentrate entirely on his art, Lindon works during the stillness of the night, far from any traffic sounds or distractions. Since 2019, he has been passionately exploring the technical challenges associated with microscopic art, and his dedication and hard work shine through in the exquisite details of his creations.
The majority of Lindon’s tools are specially altered to fit his individual aesthetic, enabling him to perfect his microscopic sculptures. In addition to the Van Gogh Trilogy, he has created other astounding works, such as paintings that are as small as 1.5 millimeters or even smaller, which can fit inside the eye of a needle. Prices for these amazing works range from $12,000 to $20,000. They are offered by Hammond Galleries.
The painstaking precision required for Lindon’s microscopic art demands a focused and steady hand. He revealed that even a minor twitch caused by his pulse could ruin months of work. The stakes are high, and he must control his breathing and heart rate, finding a rhythm to work between each pulse. The artistic journey involves intense concentration, as a single moment of distraction might lead to weeks of work vanishing under the microscope.
Despite the challenges and labor-intensive nature of his art, Lindon finds immense satisfaction in the reactions of people who admire his creations. His ability to transform the invisible into tangible masterpieces showcases the true magic of art and reinforces the notion that great art knows no bounds – not even the microscopic realm.