Frances Glessner Lee’s Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death were dollhouse dioramas made in the early half of the 20th century and were created based off of documentation from real crime scenes. Originally meant to train investigators in proper methods of forensic analysis, they were made as “pure objective recreations” according to the Smithsonian.
I find the contrast between the meticulous craft of miniature creation and educational tool interesting. The Nutshells’ origin in Lee’s subversive use of domestic skills to host dinners for investigators instead of high society people and how interested and ultimately accepted she was in the male dominated homicide and forensic fields is also super fascinating.
She was inspired initially by George Magrath, a friend of her brother’s, and she’s inspired many subsequent artists such as Ilona Gaynor, Abigail Goldman and Randy Hage. In fact, just the other day I came across a murder miniature Instagram account called @theminiaturemurderhouse.
Smithsonian’s article talks about how part of the draw of these dioramas, the narrative, also ushers in perhaps problematic aspects of subjectivity: “she makes certain assumptions about taste and lifestyle of low-income families.” I also find the goal of some singular or narrative “ultimate truth” when it comes to emulating reality to be a bit awkward. I can understand though, that at this point in history, Lee’s dioramas of murders contributed to real and important developments in forensic analysis.
Links:
https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/nutshells (contains VR scenes)
