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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Ethan Bang-Bang
Painting - 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
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Brigitte Bardot à 17 ans
Walter Carone
Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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David Bowie - Blue Lagoon Marbled
Voxx Romana
Painting - 46.4 x 45.5 cm Painting - 18.3 x 17.9 inch
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Rolling Stones (Keith Richard)
Ivan Messac
Print - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
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Tribute to Salvador Dali
Thomas Mainardi
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
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Johnny Hallyday. Seul dans la rue à Paris, le 2 Mars 1987
Francis Apesteguy
Photography - 42 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
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24h du Mans 1970-Steve McQueen venu en repérages pour son film « Le Mans » qu’il tournera l’année suivante, 13 ou 14 juin 1970.
Jacques Violet
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
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Martin Luther King
Frog$kin
Fine Art Drawings - 19.8 x 31 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.8 x 12.2 x 0 inch
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Sérigraphie Bowie the Duke
Vincent Sabatier
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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Malab'Art goût A.Warhol
Rakel Wajnberg
Sculpture - 33 x 18 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 7.1 x 3.9 inch
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Femme linge Monalisa
Sounya Whang
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Indiana Jones ft. Goldorak
Mr Cute
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
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Marilyn Monroe In Chinchilla Coat
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 0.05 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0 inch
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Marilyn Monroe. Petit déjeuner au lit (1953)
André de Dienes
Photography - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
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Mona au vin rouge
Jean-Paul Bocaj
Painting - 47.5 x 37 x 1.5 cm Painting - 18.7 x 14.6 x 0.6 inch
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