Small
Recent trends in contemporary art have meant that we've grown accustomed to large scale pieces, be that huge canvases, enormous sculptures, or giant installations.
However, the miniature has always been an important part of contemporary art. Be it paintings, sculpture, or photography as well as small format drawings, the reduced dimensions of the artwork puts new constraints on the artist, forcing them to develop their techniques and artistic finesse.
Jeff Wall, an American photographer known for his large scale photographic prints on huge illuminated boxes, has said that “the scale of a piece is not about the dimensions of it, but about the internal tensions within the composition".
Believe it or not, miniature pieces have many advantages. Smaller formats allow the artists to show off a different range of talents and techniques, and sometimes even create the impression of a much higher quality piece – such as engravings or prints. Creating a miniature is a sure sign of precision and skill.
They are also more practical to exhibit than the enormous artworks: we've all got a little space on a shelf ready to welcome a miniature sculpture, photo or drawing.
Another very practical aspect of miniatures is the myriad possibilities for display: you could put together a full shelf of statuettes, or even a dedicated framing wall – which is an increasingly popular method for display, and makes for the perfect decorative addition to a living room or bedroom. It's a mixed composition made up of an array of pieces – you guessed it – all on the same wall. The diminutive size of the miniatures also makes it easier to make sure your favourite pieces are displayed in pride of place.
Even artists who are known for their monumental works are slowly getting into miniatures, like Jeff Wall in his exhibition at the Cartier Foundation.
The miniature is making a big name for itself as a growing trend across the contemporary art world; from Gaspard Mitz, who creates tiny versions of the interiors of famous art galleries in his 'Box Stories', to the photography of Samsofy, who recreates scenes from daily life with miniscule Lego 'actors'.
Last but not least, the small scale of the pieces means that even big names come with small price tags, meaning that miniatures make excellent presents. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Browse our selection of miniature works now…
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Guy with a paste earring
Gregg Friedberg
Photography - 38.1 x 30.5 cm Photography - 15 x 12 inch
$949
Room 2 - 12 Prints Collector Portfolio # 5 - Fine Art Photography
Eric Ceccarini
Print - 30 x 21 x 0.3 cm Print - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$961
Sans titre
Ayako David Kawauchi
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 30 x 1.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch
$1,068
Je ne vois pas la femme cachée dans la foret
Elina Dillmann
Print - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Print - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
$166
Dajana I, Milan, Exposure
Bruno Bisang
Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$3,203
Bettie Page ‘Two- Peace Leopard Print Suit', Key Biscayne, FL
Bunny Yeager
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
$6,000
Elena Mar odalisca en mi patio
Alberto García-Alix
Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$17,795
Mia Villiers-Farrow on a bed
Diane Arbus
Photography - 35.56 x 35.56 cm Photography - 14 x 14 inch
$19,575
Kate Moss défilé Vivienne Westwood
Guy Marineau
Photography - 42 x 28 x 0.1 cm Photography - 16.5 x 11 x 0 inch
$1,293
End Of Empire, Kantharos
Cleon Peterson
Print - 30.5 x 40.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 12 x 15.9 x 0 inch
$593
La tristeza
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$841 $757
Hombre de la Luna
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$841 $757
Huir por las esquinas y encerrarse en los
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
$593
Last man standing
James Sparshatt
Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$841
El Dandy
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$1,766 $1,590
Cloned Griffon Bruxellois With Pet Bottle
William Sweetlove
Sculpture - 40 x 40 x 18 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 15.7 x 7.1 inch
$1,661 $1,495
Marilyn Rare Black Dress (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$2,954
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$712
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$712
Marilyn Laughing in Black Dress
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$2,954
Vingt-quatre premiers sonnets de Shakespeare dans la traduction de Yves Bonnefoy n°367
Zao Wou-Ki
Print - 35 x 28 cm Print - 13.8 x 11 inch
$4,508
Vingt-quatre premiers sonnets de Shakespeare dans la traduction de Yves Bonnefoy n°368
Zao Wou-Ki
Print - 35 x 28 cm Print - 13.8 x 11 inch
$4,508
El Revolucionario
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$1,123 $1,012
El caballero
James Sparshatt
Photography - 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch
$1,554 $1,399
Extrait poussière des sens F_S
Feng Kaixuan
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$2,373
Ritmo en el autobus
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$841 $757
Au coeur de la membrane 3
Sezny Peron
Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 3 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch
$2,135
Où est Charlie ? III
Tanguy Mendrisse
Photography - 30 x 24 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 9.4 x 0 inch
$148
Jean-Marc Barr
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$712
Les Nuls en Ripolin
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$712
Pierre Desproges
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$712
Barman danseur
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$1,127
Cheveux d'Encre Émotion
Feng Kaixuan
Photography - 45 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$854
Steve McQueen. War Lover. Détente
George Barris
Photography - 36 x 28 x 1 cm Photography - 14.2 x 11 x 0.4 inch
$819
The Last Sitting: Marilyn With Pearls (hand signed C-Print)
Bert Stern
Photography - 29.8 x 35.2 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.75 x 13.875 x 0.1 inch
$3,713
Marilyn in Black Dress
Bert Stern
Photography - 41.9 x 33 x 0 cm Photography - 16.5 x 13 x 0.004 inch
$2,200
