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

11/17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Broken Marilyn

Venus d'Angelina (rose)

Mickey Monroe rose

Lego Monroe

Mickey Monroe

Frida Mickey

So glamour

Guitarrista

Marilyn Relaxes in A Hotel Room

Bob Marley

Sinéad O'Connor

Helmut Newton

Peter Ustinov

Udo Kier

Jeanne Moreau

Michail Gorbatschow

Denis Hopper

Charlotte Rampling

Pop Artists Portfolio

Emma Thompson

Jacqueline Bisset

Alice Cooper

Nick Cave & Blixa Bargeld

Pedro Almodóvar

Harry Belafonte

Bowie

Yo! Mickey Top Trader sur toile

Oscar Wilde

MARYLIN

Jimi Hendrix

Nouvelle Vague

L'enfer

Lies-Hepburn

Angus Young

Mbapple Bleu Noir

Morgan

Marilyn

Magic Mandela

Lego Marilyn (Jaune)

Eternelle Marylin

Nelson

Fertility and Resurrection #2

Billy Joel

C215, Pablo Picasso

Green Day

Icônes Marseille - Bleu

Épreuve 8

Dans les yeux de Marlon Brando - Série Street-art

Frida

Jimi

Marilyn

Casablanca

NTM

Bruno

M - Rêvalité

Doors - L.A Woman

Basquiat Warhol

Marilyn

Marseille

Zita Johann Aquamarine

Madonna protégée par ses gorilles (1992)

Frida

Serge Gainsbourg

Marilyn (1)

Audrey

Léon - série personnage iconique sur billets de 1 dollar