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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Complètement love
MrHope
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
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Tudo Bem - In the Wood Planks
Nacks
Painting - 50 x 50 x 4.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.8 inch
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Naruto dans un Monde Abstrait
Nacks
Painting - 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch
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Vive les fleurs et les tableaux
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 21 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
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Vive les fleurs skateuses
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 46 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch
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The Last Piece
Andrea Van Der Hoeven
Painting - 35 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
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Vive les fleurs et les fleurs
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
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Nani Captain America
Lucie Poureau
Sculpture - 50 x 23 x 16 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 9.1 x 6.3 inch
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Snoopy - Child in da Street
Nacks
Painting - 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch
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The Last Piece
Andrea Van Der Hoeven
Painting - 35 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
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Avoir le Koeur sur la main - Neon Love Version
M. Koeur
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
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Stormtrooper (street paper 2022)
JP Malot
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
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Vive les fleurs (3)
Seb Paul Michel
Sculpture - 30 x 10 x 12 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 3.9 x 4.7 inch
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Vive les fleurs et les coolures
Seb Paul Michel
Sculpture - 30 x 10 x 12 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 3.9 x 4.7 inch
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Vive les fleurs et les coolures
Seb Paul Michel
Sculpture - 30 x 10 x 12 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 3.9 x 4.7 inch
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Find your inner monkey
Alberto Blanchart
Painting - 50 x 35 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch
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Vive les fleurs et le pop art (1)
Seb Paul Michel
Sculpture - 30 x 9 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 3.5 x 3.5 inch
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Want to marry a Schtroumpf
Ethan Bang-Bang
Painting - 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
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Stormtrooper (real street paper N°3)
JP Malot
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
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Lineas and Banksy girl
VL.
Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 20 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch
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Vive les fleurs et les ours
Seb Paul Michel
Sculpture - 33 x 19 x 15 cm Sculpture - 13 x 7.5 x 5.9 inch
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Chat l’Bête 2.3 #128
Stephanie Godann
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 40 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch
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Yellow Shoes
Isabella Cancino
Fine Art Drawings - 25.4 x 20.3 x 1.27 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10 x 8 x 0.5 inch
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Pizza box
David Brown
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 25.4 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 10 x 1 inch
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Vive les fleurs et les peintres
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
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Black book drawing
Ghost (aka Cousin Frank)
Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 40 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.9 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch
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Bonjour Amour Toujours, full dollar
Wawapod
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 40 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
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Print Color is life
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
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Jungle sketch 3D
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
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