Colorful emotions
Rossella Mercedes
Painting - 29.7 x 42 x 1.5 cm Painting - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.6 inch
$712
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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Schwurhand: Frau rennt weg mit Gehirn
Joseph Beuys
Print - 50 x 43 cm Print - 19.7 x 16.9 inch
$2,254
"Pearls" la dernière séance (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 26 x 37 x 2 cm Photography - 10.2 x 14.6 x 0.8 inch
$2,361
Marilyn Boob Smile (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$5,813
Marilyn Monroe. Baby Nude
Bert Stern
Photography - 31 x 45 x 1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
$5,813
Marilyn Monroe 1962. New baby in silver
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$5,813
Marilyn 1962 (New baby in Gold)
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$5,813
Marilyn. Jeweled Toga
Bert Stern
Photography - 45 x 31 x 1 cm Photography - 17.7 x 12.2 x 0.4 inch
$5,813
New Baby on the bed
Bert Stern
Photography - 31 x 45 x 1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
$4,745
Torso existencial 3/8
Alberto Ascaso
Sculpture - 45 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
$3,440
Pequena caminante 6/8
Alberto Ascaso
Sculpture - 47 x 30 x 8 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 11.8 x 3.1 inch
$5,576
Hommage à Baudelaire 4/8
Alberto Ascaso
Sculpture - 32 x 12 x 8 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 4.7 x 3.1 inch
$4,627
MV. 24-5 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Painting - 20 x 26 x 0.1 cm Painting - 7.9 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$208
MV. 24-2 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Painting - 19 x 26 x 0.1 cm Painting - 7.5 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$208
MV. 24-8 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Painting - 26 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting - 10.2 x 7.9 x 0 inch
$208
La Gitane – D'après Henri Manguin
Muriel Deumie
Painting - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$415 $354
MV. 24-10 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 26 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.9 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$208
MV. 24-1 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Fine Art Drawings - 19 x 26 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.5 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$208
MV. 24-6 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 26 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.9 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$208
Hippopotamus wife applying cream to her eyes
Lynette Cooney
Painting - 28.5 x 38 cm Painting - 11.2 x 15 inch
$163
Flexo Walking Around pièce unique acier rouille
Zed
Sculpture - 42 x 15 x 16 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 5.9 x 6.3 inch
Sold
Be cool 3 pièce unique style industriel
Zed
Sculpture - 45 x 27 x 34 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 10.6 x 13.4 inch
Sold
Come on unique style industriel
Zed
Sculpture - 42 x 16 x 20 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 6.3 x 7.9 inch
Sold
La folie du jour 2, Maurice Blanchot
Bram van Velde
Print - 27 x 31 cm Print - 10.6 x 12.2 inch
Sold
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
Sold
L’étrange Noël de Monsieur Jack, Jack et Sally
Tim Burton
Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 20 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Ombre et lumière #4
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Etudes de la Grange
Yuriy Demiyanov
Painting - 35 x 45 x 4 cm Painting - 13.8 x 17.7 x 1.6 inch
Sold