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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Deconstruction
Nagsoul
Fine Art Drawings - 26 x 36 x 3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.2 x 14.2 x 1.2 inch
€500
Moon Shin 9 Black Sculptures 1978 MMCA MUSEUM SEOUL Collection
Moon Shin
Fine Art Drawings - 29 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.4 x 8.3 inch
€2,900 €1,450
Marc Jacobs fall 2020
Manuel Santelices
Painting - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.3 cm Painting - 12 x 9 x 0.1 inch
€637
Alessandro Michelle yellow
Manuel Santelices
Painting - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.3 cm Painting - 12 x 9 x 0.1 inch
€637
El Revolucionario
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
€980
El caballero
James Sparshatt
Photography - 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch
€1,356
Hexa Flowery Audrey
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€420 €378
Hexa Flowery Frida
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€420 €378
Ethereal Dawn II
Daniela Pasqualini
Painting - 35.6 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 14 x 11 x 1 inch
€455
Mirror panther on black
Nataliia Krykun
Painting - 30 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€789
One Dollar Blue
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 17 x 39 x 1 cm Sculpture - 6.7 x 15.4 x 0.4 inch
€2,002 €1,902
La vieja guajira
James Sparshatt
Photography - 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch
€734
Schwurhand: Mit Fett gefüllte Skulptur
Joseph Beuys
Print - 32 x 25 cm Print - 12.6 x 9.8 inch
€2,500
Still Cassius Clay V
Gerry Cranham
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
€990
L'écureuil de Mongolie
Sébastien Nadin
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€600
Luminescence Gravure et Gaufrage 1987 Poésie Poetry
Blaise Simon Balazs
Print - 28 x 38 x 0.5 cm Print - 11 x 15 x 0.2 inch
€750 €525
Los mulatos estiraban gomas ansiosos
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
€350
Jamas sierpe ni cebra ni mula palidecieron
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
€350
Ombre et lumière I
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
€500
1985 Oiseau Bird Saint John Perse
Blaise Simon Balazs
Print - 28 x 38 x 0.5 cm Print - 11 x 15 x 0.2 inch
€950 €475
Cloned Griffon Bruxellois with pet bottle
William Sweetlove
Sculpture - 40 x 40 x 18 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 15.7 x 7.1 inch
€1,400
One Dollar Miami Sky
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 17 x 39 x 1 cm Sculpture - 6.7 x 15.4 x 0.4 inch
€3,459
Mémoire de JingDeZhen
Feng Hatat
Photography - 32 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 12.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
€500
Puro... alegria
James Sparshatt
Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
€1,788
Ombre et lumière III
Feng Hatat
Photography - 48 x 32 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
€500
Racines d'être
Christine Marie Nobre
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€570
Paysage intérieur
Christine Marie Nobre
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€570
