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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Une reconquête moderne de l’espace classique III
Valerio Adami
Print - 40 x 30 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 inch
$297
King Pop Green
Monsieur Mollotov
Sculpture - 40 x 24 x 40 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.4 x 15.7 inch
$700
The Crown YP x JM Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Design - 30 x 40 x 4 cm Design - 11.8 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch
$326
Rules of Fight Club - Handmade sculpture for home decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 10 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 3.9 inch
$184
The Veiled Vestal Virgin Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 43 x 26 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 10.2 x 5.9 inch
$311
Million Dollar Mickey
Sanuj Birla
Sculpture - 45.7 x 40.6 x 22.9 cm Sculpture - 18 x 16 x 9 inch
$1,395
Fille à l'écharpe rose
Albane de Saint Remy
Painting - 35 x 27 x 0.1 cm Painting - 13.8 x 10.6 x 0 inch
$854
Fille à la veste bleue
Albane de Saint Remy
Painting - 35 x 27 x 0.1 cm Painting - 13.8 x 10.6 x 0 inch
$854
International Volunteer Day (hand signed)
Keith Haring
Print - 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.3 cm Print - 11 x 8.5 x 0.1 inch
$14,950
LA PETITE DANSE DES PAPILLONS
Sophie Petetin
Painting - 41 x 33 x 2.5 cm Painting - 16.1 x 13 x 1 inch
$534
Un coup de dés jamais n'abolira le hasard - train
Hervé Di Rosa
Print - 40 x 35 x 1.5 cm Print - 15.7 x 13.8 x 0.6 inch
$534
Dance Love YP x Keith Haring
Keith Haring
Design - 37 x 40 x 4 cm Design - 14.6 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch
$415
Weekend by the sea
Anatoly Varvarov
Painting - 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch
$605
Vive les fleurs et cool
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
$593
Pop Cola Green
Alessandro Padovan
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 6 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 2.4 inch
$593
Mickey Finger Design
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 34 x 14 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 5.5 x 3.9 inch
$309
Peace Out Astronaut
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 48 x 35 x 14 cm Sculpture - 18.9 x 13.8 x 5.5 inch
$424
