2015 EXHIBITION OF ROYAL MINIATURE SOCIETY

The exhibition was officially opened on Tuesday 13th October by author and public speaker, Dr. Gervase Phinn, who gave an amusing and interesting introduction and then graciously presented the Awards.

The standard of exhibits was as high as ever, with many new artists.  One of the notables among new artists exhibiting at the RMS was polish Ewa Buksa-Klinowska, whose astounding enamel miniatures swept up The Gold Bowl and also the Connoisseurs Award.  Ewa flew over for the event to receive her prizes in person and was overwhelmed by the occasion, saying that the praise had 'hit her in the heart'! 

Ewa accepting the gold bowl award

Gold Bowl winning entry

'Suzi' enamel on copper

The first day of the exhibition was bustling with activity, with many red 'sold' spots appearing in the cabinets containing the works of art.

An additional exhibition of some highlights from the Society's Diploma Collection displayed the wonderfully lovely miniature of HM The Queen in her younger days. An apt reminder of our longest-serving Monarch.

For the first time ever, all the exhibits can now be viewed on-line at www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk.

The exhibition is open daily, 10.00 - 5.00, closing on Sunday 25th October at 1.00 p.m.  

THE LAIDMAN SISTERS : Ida Frances Laidman (1878-1962) and Edith Annie Laidman (1880-1943)

Following additional research by living descendants of the Laidman family, it has now been established that the two miniature painters, Ida and Edith, had a sister, (Charlotte) Mary and two brothers, the Rev. William Ernest and the eldest, George Henry Laidman (born 1871 in India).  George became a Civil Engineer and married May Constance Hovenden in Salisbury, Rhodesia in 1919.  None of the sisters married and it is thought that the Rev. William also remained single.

Further information has now come to light regarding these two artists with the exciting discovery by collector, Warren Kundis, of a miniature of 'Mary' Laidman (1874-1954) by her sister Edith.

Miniature of 'Mary' Laidman (1874-1954)

Warren has kindly allowed us to use his images and we are grateful to him for this.

Although the 'signature' on this miniature is not the artist's, the backing sheet confirming the identity of the sitter and  the artist is genuine.

It is believed that Edith probably 'signed' the miniature with a monogram EAL and at a later date someone unknown altered it to read E. Laidman. 

 Edith's genuine signature is also shown below.

Not only do we now have an image of Mary, who as far as we know was not an artist herself, but this miniature also calls into question the identity of another miniature by Edith, previously unknown, which could possibly be a self portrait.  Certainly the striking combination of blue eyes, dark chestnut brown hair and fine features shared by the sitters in both these miniatures is very suggestive of a close family connection.  

The miniature, possibly of Edith, came from her sister, Ida's, Estate

Possible self-portrait? by Edith Annie Laidman

A photograph of an elderly Ida Laidman

A miniature of Mrs. Charlotte Laidman (nee Smith) the artists' mother by Ida Frances Laidman