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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Cage / Sans titre
Meteo Meteo
Painting - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$137 $96
Cage / Sans titre
Meteo Meteo
Painting - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$137 $96
L'aviateur - Jeux d'enfants
Nacks
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch
$833
Night in Ctockholm
Tetiana Ocheredko
Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 48 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 18.9 x 0 inch
$300
Blood style
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$357
Print Alphabet rehaussé 2
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$238
Print Alphabet rehaussé 1
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$238
Crazy Head
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$357
Bows light 3D
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$357
Bows 3D blue
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$476
Bows 3D party
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$476
Les Parasites
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$357
Bows violet 3D
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$476
Time to revolt
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 2 inch
$476
Bows 3D sketch
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch
$476
Sans titre
Jean-Michel Lourenço
Painting - 50 x 39.5 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.6 x 0.6 inch
$536
Hot Dog
Tina Loiodice
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
Print Alphabet rehaussé 5
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$298
Woohoo!
Majic Monster
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
Lazy Dayz
Majic Monster
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
I'll Save You!
Majic Monster
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
Good Boy
Majic Monster
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
Drinking Buddies
Majic Monster
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
Cheers
Majic Monster
Fine Art Drawings - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$417
Proletarians Consume
Dominique Liccia
Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 inch
$536
Mur-mur d'Amour - Innocence Urbaine
Nacks
Painting - 29 x 29 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch
$536
Amour Vandale - Innocence Urbaine
Nacks
Painting - 29 x 29 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch
$536
