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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

19/100 1 10 17 18 19 20 21 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Etude

Iris

LOVE POWER

Piano Bar

Sulking

Thomonoy

Fossile

Series The Image Of Mountain No.1

Au musée

Cubos Transparencia 2 (Framed)

Broken princess

Ink #8

Sans titre (192)

Andy Warhol and Keith Haring

Clouds over the Tay Rail Bridge

Orografia 8

L.o.v.e

Masques dansants d'Ensor

Sans Titre

Mountains

UP23_63

Gold Jelly

Untitled

Rencontre dans le jardin

Duo

Readers series - Philosophy of money

Le merle

7749

The Chair, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Female figure

Sin título

Sans titre

Untitled

The Doodler 2

Uma

Black Sea Beach

o.T. I.; #2180

Untitled (PEN 04)

06 - 16 - 1961 - Lobby Cards Series - Red

Heads - Ian (Cutout Sculpture)

Oris 4 (série de 40 têtes)

Empreintes

Venise de Chine Suzhou Chinese Venise 1986

Gardien de chevaux 1987 Horses Guardian

Upside Down

Go-between

La fée clochette

Black Duck

Coastline stones in water

Taureau Noir

The Moment

Ensemble

Flows no 32a

Amex Mr Banksy

Man Having Tea

Tchaikovsky

África tribal VII

A cold cliff

12 - Red

Cinema

Creu IX

Four Person in One

The Pop Vibe Of Fashion I

Jade UberKranky

Garden of Eden

Peinture en question