18th and 19th century jigsaw puzzles featured pictures that at the time were not normally considered "Fine Art". However, today everyone knows that "Fine Art" is what one finds hanging or on display in an art museum! During the 20th century many of the works of art from well known art museums have become the subject of jigsaw puzzles. Here are three examples of this type of jigsaw puzzle from the collection.
This jigsaw puzzle was donated to the Museum in 1983. Millefiori (a thousand flowers) is an 1848 glass paperweight variation reminiscent of an ancient Roman glass making technic that was revived in England in the mid-19th century.
The example that is pictured in the jigsaw puzzle is on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Like the subject, the puzzle is a round Springbok Edition, published in 1967. The 36cm (diameter) box is round as well, and the sides of the top informs us that this is a Puzzle In The Round Edition. Other information about the paperweight, printed on the back of the box, explains how it and similar paperweights were made, and the history of this paperweight before acquisition by the MIA.
The puzzle is composed of 501 irregular interlocking jigsaw pieces. Each piece is made of printed paper glued to cardboard and each piece measures about 3cm x 4cm.
This famous puzzle was donated to the Museum in 1983. It is a Springbok Edition based upon the abstract painting Convergence by Jackson Pollock. Pollock painted it in 1952.
The original canvas is large - 237.5cm x 339.7cm (93.5"x155") - as were many of Pollock's paintings. The original now hangs in the Albright-Knox Gallery, Buffalo, New York.
The puzzle, as may be seen from the photograph, is assembled from 360 irregular interlocking pieces. The backs of the pieces are colored green. To aid the user, a full color graphic (34.4cm long x 53.8cm wide) of the assembled jigsaw is included with the puzzle (top of photo on the left).
This jigsaw puzzle was donated to the Museum in 1983. It is a Springbok Edition made in 1965 called Op-Art. It is a very difficult puzzle to put together. This is because of the color of the pieces and their shapes
The Puzzle (pictured on the left) is composed of 360 irregular interlocking pieces in various shades of similar colors - ranging from pale yellow to dark brown.
When the puzzle is assembled it offers a 3-D optical effect. Like many jigsaw puzzles picturing art objects and intended for adult use, this one offers a puzzler a considerable challenge.
Last update April 3, 2010