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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Marilyn Getting Ready To Go Out in New York (1955)
Ed Feingersh
Photography - 31 x 25 cm Photography - 12.2 x 9.8 inch
$326
Marilyn Getting Ready To Go Out (1955)
Ed Feingersh
Photography - 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography - 16 x 12 inch
$469
Elio spark, From the series winter soul
Nino Alavidze
Photography - 19 x 29 x 0.1 cm Photography - 7.5 x 11.4 x 0 inch
$1,000
Bridge, Tree and Rock in Fog, Alentejo
Gonçalo Martins
Photography - 27 x 35 x 0.1 cm Photography - 10.6 x 13.8 x 0 inch
$190
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 124
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 70
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 105
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 122
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 19
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 16
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 6
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 48
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 29
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Jeanne Hébuterne - Planche 53
Nadine Van Der Straeten
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$581
Bruma Portfolio, Limited Edition, Silver Gelatin Prints
Miguel Winograd
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 5.1 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 2 inch
$3,000
Friday morning, six o'clock III
Mihaela Ivanova
Photography - 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$445
Friday morning, six o'clock II
Mihaela Ivanova
Photography - 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$445
Friday morning, six o'clock I
Mihaela Ivanova
Photography - 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$445
Mirage Ligérien I
Dominique Jullien
Photography - 13 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 5.1 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$415
Sans titre
Jean-François Spricigo
Photography - 30 x 26 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 10.2 x 0.4 inch
$3,084
Story of Love N°10 - Size S
Anna Laza
Photography - 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$237
Storm warning Chicago IL
William Dey
Photography - 45.7 x 35.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 14 x 0.1 inch
$525
Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins – Windmill Street Soho London
David Steen
Photography - 31 x 44 x 0.01 cm Photography - 12.2 x 17.3 x 0 inch
$3,417
Cyclos y Renacimientos
Diego Echevers Torrez
Photography - 33 x 33 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 13 x 0 inch
$1,554
Don Ricardo
Diego Echevers Torrez
Photography - 33 x 33 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 13 x 0 inch
$1,554
Doña Martha
Diego Echevers Torrez
Photography - 33 x 33 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 13 x 0 inch
$1,554
El Sueño de la China
Diego Echevers Torrez
Photography - 33 x 33 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 13 x 0 inch
$1,554
Fiestas y Sueños
Diego Echevers Torrez
Photography - 33 x 33 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 13 x 0 inch
$1,554
Generaciones y Creencias
Diego Echevers Torrez
Photography - 33 x 33 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13 x 13 x 0 inch
$1,554
Mon amie la brume
Dominique Jullien
Photography - 13 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 5.1 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$415
Pêcheur de brumes
Dominique Jullien
Photography - 13 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 5.1 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$415
Vies en vue - moyen - 2
LN Le Cheviller
Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$320
Vies en vue - moyen - 1
LN Le Cheviller
Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$320
Black Structure #2
Kat Zhivetin
Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$250
Marion - Île de beaulieu - Nantes - série Danse photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Kévin - Le mur - La poste - Nantes - série Danse photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
MC Solaar, Daddy Lord C et JP Manova - Médiathèque Françoise Sagan - Paris - Concert de JP Manova pour la radio Le Mouv' - série photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Pépé, une seconde avant - Festival Fête du Bruit - Saint Nolff - Concert du groupe Deluxe - série photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Pépé, saxophoniste du groupe Deluxe - Le Stéréolux - Nantes - Dans les coulisses de l'Olympia d'Ibeyi - série photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Dany Dan - La Carrière - Saint Herblain 2013 - Dans les coulisses du festival Hip Opsession - série photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Emily - Le Bataclan - Concert de Jukebox Champions - Paris 2014 - série Photo Noir et Blanc
Lucas Perrigot
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Dans mes pas
Yoland Rafougilet
Photography - 30 x 20 x 2 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch
$546
Dear Irving...
Mourad Cherifi
Photography - 45 x 30 x 0.02 cm Photography - 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$534
Principios de la Hospitalidad II
Isabel Herrera
Photography - 38.1 x 38.1 x 1 cm Photography - 15 x 15 x 0.4 inch
$2,076
Principios de la Hospitalidad I
Isabel Herrera
Photography - 38.1 x 38.1 x 1 cm Photography - 15 x 15 x 0.4 inch
$2,076
La danseuse
Karine Nicolleau
Photography - 27.5 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 10.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$273
Enlightened #3
Karine Nicolleau
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$344
Dream Machine / Homage To Interbau 57 Berlin 7
Sergei Sviatchenko
Photography - 21 x 29 cm Photography - 8.3 x 11.4 inch
$3,559
Legendary Peter Behrens AEG Turbine Factory Berlin 9
Sergei Sviatchenko
Photography - 21 x 29 cm Photography - 8.3 x 11.4 inch
$3,559
Legendary Peter Behrens AEG Turbine Factory Berlin 10
Sergei Sviatchenko
Photography - 29 x 21 cm Photography - 11.4 x 8.3 inch
$3,559
Legendary Peter Behrens AEG Turbine Factory Berlin 13
Sergei Sviatchenko
Photography - 29 x 21 cm Photography - 11.4 x 8.3 inch
$3,559
Legendary Peter Behrens AEG Turbine Factory Berlin 12
Sergei Sviatchenko
Photography - 29 x 21 cm Photography - 11.4 x 8.3 inch
$3,559
Bouquet de Gypsophiles
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch
$1,163
L'infini roulé blanc...
Thierry Robert
Photography - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$534
Story of Love N°13 - Size M
Anna Laza
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$415
Story of Love N°6 - Size M
Anna Laza
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$415