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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

25/100 1 10 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Figure, profile portrait

The Labyrinth

Circle

Philemon and baucis

30's Upside Down

Pink City

Monument

Typical Poet

Humand Architect

Ghost

Nelson Mandela

Feel No. 10

Angels and Demons (Portrait of Giorgio Morandi)

On n'est pas là

Théâtre

Searching No. 3

Radiant

Aura No. 3

Solaris 3

Solaris 4

happy in love (tribute to Haring)

Soul Notes Unfold Slowly Like Wine in Warmth

Out of the blue

Eternal spring in the garden of my soul

Fille à l'écharpe rose

Quadriga

Little Tree

Five and One

Unnoticed

Deep in the Forest

Trucks and Trailer

Houses in the Hill

Lost

Cracks

Change in Season

Woodland Edge

Winter Road

The Barn

When the glass is broken/What is good wine?

William F. Buckley and Pat Buckley at home in NY. From the Interiors series

Vanité

Isabella Blow in Philip Tracey

Paysage des Beaux

Rinofrog

Pat Buckley leaving town

Supermodels in Vogue

Hammersmith

Queen Camilla

Early spring in Kühhude no.2

Sans titre

Vendangeurs

Witching Hour

Morning Jitters

Pequi Tree

Le Soleil

Jackie

Portrait 11

Portrait 9

Into The Light

Poisson piegé

Canne de Provence

Como Lake Italy

Pins de bord de mer

Sans titre II

Shamunda

Vana