Standing wild bear
Richard Orlinski
Sculpture - 40 x 25 x 28 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.8 x 11 inch
$15,358
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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Free hand & Spray Tag
Marc Boffin
Sculpture - 33 x 23 x 20 cm Sculpture - 13 x 9.1 x 7.9 inch
$2,976
The Other Side
Michael Grine
Painting - 40.3 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Painting - 15.875 x 19.625 x 0.125 inch
$300
Urban Haring Tribute
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 41 x 38 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch
$345
Chanoir x Lucky Charms Honey
Chanoir
Sculpture - 30 x 21 x 6 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 8.3 x 2.4 inch
$1,667
Graffiti Extraction N°4
Papa Mesk
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$1,905
Lego Playmo Princess x POP Hexa-Box
Priscilla Vettese
Sculpture - 24 x 27 x 10 cm Sculpture - 9.4 x 10.6 x 3.9 inch
$415
Pikachu's Soup x POP Hexa-Box
Priscilla Vettese
Sculpture - 24 x 27 x 10 cm Sculpture - 9.4 x 10.6 x 3.9 inch
$415
Mickey's Soup x POP Hexa-Box
Priscilla Vettese
Sculpture - 26 x 30 x 11 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 11.8 x 4.3 inch
$475
Ghostbusters x POP x Play Hexa-Box
Priscilla Vettese
Sculpture - 26 x 30 x 11 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 11.8 x 4.3 inch
$475
Giraffe Soup x Sophie X POP Hexa-Box
Priscilla Vettese
Sculpture - 26 x 30 x 11 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 11.8 x 4.3 inch
$475
Much better that way
Michael Grine
Painting - 43.2 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting - 17 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$300
Bottle Love Keith Haring
Fred Meurice
Sculpture - 30 x 28 x 13.5 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11 x 5.3 inch
$1,500
I Like You
Michael Grine
Fine Art Drawings - 43.2 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$300
Want from me
Michael Grine
Fine Art Drawings - 43.2 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$300
You Lie
Michael Grine
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.1 inch
$300
S_ck Me I'm Popular Blondiex Mickey Top Trader.
JP Malot
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$952
I want to break free - Green heart
Sagrasse
Sculpture - 35 x 35 x 6 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 13.8 x 2.4 inch
$524
Freddie Mercury Forever
Priscilla Vettese
Print - 42 x 29.7 x 2 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.8 inch
$107
Petit Panda psychédélique
Miko-R
Sculpture - 42 x 32 x 32 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 12.6 x 12.6 inch
$2,262
Para que los cocodrilos duerman en largas filas
Josep Guinovart
Print - 47 x 49 cm Print - 18.5 x 19.3 inch
$476
Pow! Shoot the bank covent garden
JP Malot
Painting - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$952
M. Chat & Playboy Enterprises Stock Certificate
M.Chat
Painting - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$11,905
