Medium: Micro-Engraving on a £20 Note
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Magnifying Glass and Lighting System (Prototype Shown)
This micro‑engraving presents a finely executed portrait of Donald J. Trump, engraved entirely by hand onto the surface of a genuine £20 note. Rendered at a scale almost invisible to the naked eye, the artwork transforms a familiar banknote into a hidden miniature portrait, only revealed when viewed through magnification. The engraving captures the figure in a composed stance, complete with tailored suit detailing and subtle posture cues that emerge only under close inspection.
Working on banknote fibres is one of the most technically demanding challenges in miniature art. The material is textured, delicate, and highly absorbent, requiring exceptional control to avoid tearing or distortion. Under extreme magnification, Graham Short uses ultra‑fine needles and custom‑engineered tools to carve each microscopic line with near‑motionless accuracy. The contours of the face, the shaping of the suit, and the fine structural lines of the portrait must all be formed one microscopic cut at a time.
To present the artwork as intended, the engraved £20 note is housed in a bespoke wooden display case designed specifically for this series. The prototype includes a precision‑fitted magnifying glass and an adjustable lighting system, allowing viewers to explore the engraving in perfect clarity. The warm wood, integrated optics, and soft illumination create a museum‑grade presentation that honours both the subject and the craftsmanship.
Medium: Micro-Engraving on a £20 Note
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Magnifying Glass and Lighting System (Prototype Shown)
This micro‑engraving presents a finely executed portrait of Donald J. Trump, engraved entirely by hand onto the surface of a genuine £20 note. Rendered at a scale almost invisible to the naked eye, the artwork transforms a familiar banknote into a hidden miniature portrait, only revealed when viewed through magnification. The engraving captures the figure in a composed stance, complete with tailored suit detailing and subtle posture cues that emerge only under close inspection.
Working on banknote fibres is one of the most technically demanding challenges in miniature art. The material is textured, delicate, and highly absorbent, requiring exceptional control to avoid tearing or distortion. Under extreme magnification, Graham Short uses ultra‑fine needles and custom‑engineered tools to carve each microscopic line with near‑motionless accuracy. The contours of the face, the shaping of the suit, and the fine structural lines of the portrait must all be formed one microscopic cut at a time.
To present the artwork as intended, the engraved £20 note is housed in a bespoke wooden display case designed specifically for this series. The prototype includes a precision‑fitted magnifying glass and an adjustable lighting system, allowing viewers to explore the engraving in perfect clarity. The warm wood, integrated optics, and soft illumination create a museum‑grade presentation that honours both the subject and the craftsmanship.
