Medium: Micro-Engraving on a £20 Note
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Magnifying Glass and Lighting System (Prototype Shown)
This dignified micro‑engraving pays tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most recognisable and enduring figures in modern history. Engraved entirely by hand onto the surface of a genuine £20 note, the artwork captures the Queen’s profile at a scale almost invisible to the naked eye. Only under magnification does the engraving reveal itself, transforming a familiar banknote into a hidden homage to duty, legacy, and national identity.
Working on banknote fibres is among the most technically demanding challenges in miniature art. The material is textured, delicate, and highly absorbent, requiring extraordinary 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 curve of the crown, the shaping of the profile, and the subtle detailing of the portrait must all be formed one microscopic cut at a time. Even the smallest elements, the tilt of the head, the suggestion of light, the refinement of the silhouette, are engraved at a scale measured in microns.
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 dignified micro‑engraving pays tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most recognisable and enduring figures in modern history. Engraved entirely by hand onto the surface of a genuine £20 note, the artwork captures the Queen’s profile at a scale almost invisible to the naked eye. Only under magnification does the engraving reveal itself, transforming a familiar banknote into a hidden homage to duty, legacy, and national identity.
Working on banknote fibres is among the most technically demanding challenges in miniature art. The material is textured, delicate, and highly absorbent, requiring extraordinary 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 curve of the crown, the shaping of the profile, and the subtle detailing of the portrait must all be formed one microscopic cut at a time. Even the smallest elements, the tilt of the head, the suggestion of light, the refinement of the silhouette, are engraved at a scale measured in microns.
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.
