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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Le fakir maladroit
Timothy Archer
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$1,786
Blow - Purple incl gold butterflies 1/1
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Look at the Stars - White / Blue / Gold 1/1
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Look at the stars (red / blue / gold) 1/1
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Vive les lapins en bleu
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
$396
New York Streets N°18 - Art urbain coloré
Tania Caggini
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch
$536
New York Streets N°19 - Art urbain coloré
Tania Caggini
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch
$536
New York Streets N°52 - Art urbain coloré
Tania Caggini
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch
$536
New York Streets N°53 - Art urbain coloré
Tania Caggini
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch
$536
Personnel sur les voies - Graffiti chrome
Keny
Painting - 42 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
$298
Do What The Fuck Makes You Happy
CB Hoyo
Print - 48.3 x 33 x 1.5 cm Print - 19 x 13 x 0.6 inch
$1,748
Neon Love KoeurPoration
M. Koeur
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$1,429
Love Charged!
M. Koeur
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$1,429
One Dollar Red Underground
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 39 x 17.5 x 0.4 cm Sculpture - 15.4 x 6.9 x 0.2 inch
$2,143
Untitled (All communication must cease)
David Shrigley
Fine Art Drawings - 36.5 x 28 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.4 x 11 x 0.8 inch
$9,500
No name 40.30 #D232bis
Stéphane Rime
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$83
Evolution typewriter
Diego Barros
Sculpture - 42 x 45 x 25 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 17.7 x 9.8 inch
$5,953
Noname 50.40 #D55
Stéphane Rime
Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$119
Saviour (hand signed screen print)
Zedsy
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.3 cm Print - 19.69 x 19.69 x 0.1 inch
$375
Love Reading Books incl gold finish (1/1)
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Blow - Grey incl gold butterflies (1/1)
Alessio-B
Print - 32 x 45 x 0.1 cm Print - 12.6 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$298
Mondrian Street incl gold finish (1/1)
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Butterfly Dreams - incl golden (1/1)
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Dreams - Pixel - incl gold finish (1/1)
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Rainbow Skate incl gold butteflies (1/1)
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Power Girl - Don't stop dreaming
Alessio-B
Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch
$298
Vive les palmiers en noir et bleu et les fleurs
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch
$560
Yo! Mickey Top Trader sur toile
JP Malot
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$1,429
Haring Family Love
Lasveguix
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$583
Tattoo Checker
Spencer Harris
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.8 inch
$1,950
Devil Pig
Spencer Harris
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.8 inch
$1,950
Car Flames
Spencer Harris
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.8 inch
$1,950