Ombre et lumière I
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
$578
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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Journey of Life
Sargis Zaqaryan
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$600 $480
Mysterious lake
Alisa Onipchenko-Cherniakovska
Painting - 46 x 35 x 0.3 cm Painting - 18.1 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch
$600
Picnic In the Shade
Gegham Hunanyan
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$350 $280
Schwurhand: Mit Fett gefüllte Skulptur
Joseph Beuys
Print - 32 x 25 cm Print - 12.6 x 9.8 inch
$2,890
Semi abstract landscape
Zakhar Shevchuk
Painting - 25 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting - 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$809
Costumer Design
Erte Tirtoff
Fine Art Drawings - 36 x 27 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.2 x 10.6 x 0 inch
$3,930
Constellations
Albena Vatcheva
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$665 $632
Los mulatos estiraban gomas ansiosos
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
$405
Jamas sierpe ni cebra ni mula palidecieron
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
$405
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$578
Midnight Luster
Arto Mkrtchyan
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$300 $240
Dreaming Muse #2
Lilit Soghomonyan
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,849
Ombre et lumière III
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
$578
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
$694
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
$694
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$694
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$578
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$578
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$694
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$694
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$694
Ombre et lumière #5
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
$694
Ombre et lumière II
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
$578
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
$1,618
Norina's Room
Erte Tirtoff
Fine Art Drawings - 28 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11 x 7.1 x 0 inch
$2,543
Divine Elegance, no.I/VIII (large size)
Joanna Zakrzewska-Cholewa
Sculpture - 43 x 34 x 25 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 13.4 x 9.8 inch
$5,664
Clares IV (6/8)
Bernard Métranve
Sculpture - 37 x 23 x 17 cm Sculpture - 14.6 x 9.1 x 6.7 inch
$4,855
Bats
Mino Maccari
Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 21 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$694
