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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Summertime… and the livin’ is easy
Kristina Mallen
Print - 47 x 47 x 0.1 cm Print - 18.5 x 18.5 x 0 inch
$581
Love Grenade LV
Roy van der Laars
Sculpture - 42 x 19 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 7.5 x 5.9 inch
$890
School Desk
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Sculpture - 28 x 31 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11 x 12.2 x 3.5 inch
$7,118
El regalo de la persistencia
Tahuanty Jacanamijoy
Painting - 35 x 27 x 0.3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 10.6 x 0.1 inch
$1,000
Edition sur papier Oksana 7302019625190007E N°12/50
Pola 4.0
Print - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$688
Rolex Watch Recycled XXL
Norman Gekko
Sculpture - 50 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
$1,185
The Girl's Own Paper, 1885
Alexander Korzer-Robinson
Sculpture - 29 x 22 x 5 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 8.7 x 2 inch
$949
Les p'tits Canailloux - Glace rouge
Arson
Sculpture - 25.5 x 25.5 x 10 cm Sculpture - 10 x 10 x 3.9 inch
$973
Les Ames Soeurs
Dominique Rayou
Sculpture - 34 x 48 x 20 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 18.9 x 7.9 inch
$13,050
Pink Painter the Vandal & Blue vandal (1)
Truteau
Painting - 41 x 31 x 0.01 cm Painting - 16.1 x 12.2 x 0 inch
$652
Pupa Woman (Plate)
Yoshitomo Nara
Sculpture - 26.7 x 26.7 x 3 cm Sculpture - 10.5 x 10.5 x 1.2 inch
$3,179
Girl at the table
Butkovsky Nikolai
Painting - 40 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
$783
Ice cream richie
Alec Monopoly
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 20 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 7.9 inch
$2,669
Enfants sur soupe Campbell
Haim Zanzouri
Painting - 36 x 16 x 2 cm Painting - 14.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inch
$603
White CH Tribute Candy
Julie Jaler
Sculpture - 40 x 20 x 20 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch
$830
The Pop Vibe Of Fashion I
Alejandro Moretti
Sculpture - 40 x 29 x 12.5 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.4 x 4.9 inch
$712 $356
Comedian Tribute to Maurizio Cattelan
Jinks Kunst
Painting - 38 x 46 x 1.5 cm Painting - 15 x 18.1 x 0.6 inch
$949
Louis Vuitton Sailboat
Arcanis
Sculpture - 40 x 40 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 15.7 x 5.9 inch
$1,800
BabyBrat Angie blanc assis
Brat
Sculpture - 30 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$5,813
Artist's Soul Flowers Keith Haring
Florence Fabris
Sculpture - 43 x 16 x 32 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 6.3 x 12.6 inch
$1,898
How to order well Tequila with no shame, Acrylic on wood
Kelly Breez
Painting - 40 x 33.7 x 5.1 cm Painting - 15.75 x 13.25 x 2 inch
$2,000
Le Bonheur c’est Nous
Laetitia Vidal
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
$925
L'univers des Yayas - N° 328
Yannis Lagresle
Sculpture - 43 x 10 x 48 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 3.9 x 18.9 inch
$3,440
Mickey, aquagravure originale jaune
Eric Liot
Print - 38 x 33 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 13 x 0 inch
$830
King Pop Black
Monsieur Mollotov
Sculpture - 40 x 24 x 40 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.4 x 15.7 inch
$700
Pyramid (hand signed three dimensional screen print)
Roy Lichtenstein
Print - 37.5 x 50.2 x 50.2 cm Print - 14.75 x 19.75 x 19.75 inch
$24,500
