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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Une journée pluvieuse
Egor Plotnikov
Painting - 25 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
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Prendre le Large… II
Marie-Odile Wagner
Painting - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
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Symphonie de fleurs
Marie Ange Mory
Painting - 45 x 45 x 0.1 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0 inch
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Bateau noir sur ciel bleu
Pablo Figueroa
Painting - 45 x 45 x 0.8 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.3 inch
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Prussian Blue | Abstrait | Abstract
Gina Vor
Painting - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
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Self-Portrait 21.03
Arthur Hent
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
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Self-Portrait 20.58
Arthur Hent
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 Art 8, Abstrait Noir 8
Gina Vor
Painting - 30 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
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Small Sign No. 11 - Black and White Minimalist Abstract (Abstrait Minimaliste Noir et Blanc)
Gina Vor
Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch
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Sign No. 17 - Black and White Minimalist Abstract (Abstrait Minimaliste Noir et Blanc)
Gina Vor
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Sign No. 13 - Black and White Minimalist Abstract (Abstrait Minimaliste Noir et Blanc)
Gina Vor
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Sign No. 11 - Black and White Minimalist Abstract (Abstrait Minimaliste Noir et Blanc)
Gina Vor
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Rose Study No. 90
Elizabeth Becker
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
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Abstract Floral No. 2
Elizabeth Becker
Painting - 22.9 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 9 x 12 x 0.1 inch
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Blue blessing
Saverio Filioli Uranio
Painting - 42 x 29.7 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch
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Sketch 6
Saverio Filioli Uranio
Painting - 42 x 29.7 x 0.2 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch
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Nossa Senhora da Rocha Church
Gonçalo Martins
Photography - 36 x 29 x 0.1 cm Photography - 14.2 x 11.4 x 0 inch
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Ballet Pose Shadow l
Robert van Bolderick
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.4 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch
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Ballet Pose Shadow ll
Robert van Bolderick
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.4 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch
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Sign No. 9
Gina Vor
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 4, Blue Series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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A girl of the sun
Kirill Postovit
Fine Art Drawings - 34.5 x 23.7 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.6 x 9.3 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 10, Blue Series III
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 9, Blue Series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 8, Blue Series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 7, Blue Series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 6, Blue Series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 5, Blue Series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 6, series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 5, series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 4, series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 3, series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 2, series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Spontaneous Ballerina no. 1, series XVII
Mario Henrique
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Plum Study No. 2
Elizabeth Becker
Painting - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
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Red, Yellow, Pink Roses of Revolution
Parimah Avani
Painting - 21 x 28.5 x 0.2 cm Painting - 8.3 x 11.2 x 0.1 inch
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Self-Portrait 20.102
Arthur Hent
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
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Self-Portrait 20.131
Arthur Hent
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
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Self-Portrait 20.89
Arthur Hent
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
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Self-Portrait 12.20
Arthur Hent
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch
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Self-Portrait 20.41
Arthur Hent
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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