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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The Dancer
Maurice Van Moppes
Fine Art Drawings - 26.5 x 18.5 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.4 x 7.3 x 0.2 inch
€300
Internal Nude
Tibor Gertler
Fine Art Drawings - 48 x 31 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 18.9 x 12.2 x 0 inch
€300
Nude of Woman
Gaspard Maillol
Fine Art Drawings - 27.5 x 24.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.8 x 9.6 x 0 inch
€400
Scars to your beautiful 04
Poonam Choudhary
Painting - 40.6 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting - 16 x 12 x 1 inch
€563
Vanishing Words
Karen Akhikyan
Sculpture - 46 x 18 x 16 cm Sculpture - 18.1 x 7.1 x 6.3 inch
€1,549 €1,239
Hombre de la Luna
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
€736
Huir por las esquinas y encerrarse en los
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
€500
Asesinado por el cielo, entre las formas que van
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
€500
A la izquierda, a la derecha, por el sur y por el norte
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
€500
A tu violencia granate, sordomudos en la penumbra
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
€500
Douceur des neiges
Âme Sauvage
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2.4 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.9 inch
€300 €225
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
€600
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
€600
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
€600
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
€600
Théorèmes #1
Nagsoul
Fine Art Drawings - 22 x 32 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
€800
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
€1,400
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
€1,400
Intermezzo 7.
Bernadette Van Baarsen
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€1,125
Geometrical Abstract Composition
Giorgio Lo Fermo
Painting - 33 x 48 x 3 cm Painting - 13 x 18.9 x 1.2 inch
€600
Ethereal Gathering
Harutyun Aghajanyan
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€563
Fresh news
Karen Akhikyan
Sculpture - 34 x 16 x 16 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 6.3 x 6.3 inch
€1,267 €1,014
Deconstruction
Nagsoul
Fine Art Drawings - 26 x 36 x 3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.2 x 14.2 x 1.2 inch
€500
A Moment of Rest
Menashe Kadishman
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€1,689
Still Cassius Clay V
Gerry Cranham
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
€990
El Revolucionario
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
€984
Magic Game, no. VI/VIII
Joanna Zakrzewska-Cholewa
Sculpture - 43 x 15 x 6 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 5.9 x 2.4 inch
€1,900
Le Petit Cavalier Bleu
Bernard Métranve
Sculpture - 28 x 17 x 17 cm Sculpture - 11 x 6.7 x 6.7 inch
€650 €520
