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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Krilin
Toei Animation
Fine Art Drawings - 23 x 26 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.1 x 10.2 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Piccolo
Toei Animation
Fine Art Drawings - 23 x 26 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.1 x 10.2 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Vive les fleurs et les lapins jaunes
Seb Paul Michel
Sculpture - 32 x 8 x 8 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 3.1 x 3.1 inch
$415
Vive les chats et les cocktails
Seb Paul Michel
Painting - 41 x 27 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch
$475
30cm New Teddy LV Tribute Black
Naor
Sculpture - 35 x 25 x 28 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 9.8 x 11 inch
$1,364
We Are The Square Jocular Clan (10)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 47.5 x 47.3 cm Print - 18.7 x 18.6 inch
$1,210
We Are The Square Jocular Clan (9)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 47.5 x 47.3 cm Print - 18.7 x 18.6 inch
$1,210
We Are The Square Jocular Clan (5)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 47.5 x 47.3 cm Print - 18.7 x 18.6 inch
$1,210
We Are The Square Jocular Clan (2)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 47.5 x 47.3 cm Print - 18.7 x 18.6 inch
$1,210
Cérémonie d'ouverture des Jeux Olympiques de Paris
François Boisrond
Print - 21 x 27 x 0.2 cm Print - 8.3 x 10.6 x 0.1 inch
$415
One Dollar In God
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 19 x 45 x 0.2 cm Sculpture - 7.5 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,966
Urban Pop Bugs Bunny Soup
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$297 $223
New One Dollar Pinkch
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 16 x 38 x 0.2 cm Sculpture - 6.3 x 15 x 0.1 inch
$2,966
Capsule Yves Saint Laurent YSL
S2Bart
Sculpture - 35 x 35 x 4 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 13.8 x 1.6 inch
$356
Capsule Patek Philippe Genève Black
S2Bart
Sculpture - 35 x 35 x 4 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 13.8 x 1.6 inch
$356
Wild Kong Yellow
Richard Orlinski
Sculpture - 30 x 24 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.4 x 3.5 inch
$5,220
Wild Kong Mauritanius
Richard Orlinski
Sculpture - 30 x 24 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.4 x 3.5 inch
$5,220
Piaf Révolution L
Valerie Marty
Sculpture - 34 x 20 x 14 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 7.9 x 5.5 inch
$1,602
Super Mario
Onemizer
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
$4,271
40cm Bear Guc, Brown Collar
Naor
Sculpture - 40 x 20 x 30 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.9 x 11.8 inch
$1,483
NAOR - 30cm Teddy Ferrari Tribute
Naor
Sculpture - 30 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$1,364
40cm Collage, H Tribute Bear
Naor
Sculpture - 40 x 33 x 28 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 13 x 11 inch
$1,898
40cm Collage, LV Marilyn Tribute Teddy
Naor
Sculpture - 40 x 33 x 26 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 13 x 10.2 inch
$1,898
30cm Heart CH Tribute Black
Naor
Sculpture - 30 x 15 x 10 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 5.9 x 3.9 inch
$1,578
Flowers on golden heart - Love, Amour, Liebe 3D plaster
Nataliia Krykun
Painting - 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch
$771
30cm teddy H Tribute No Collar
Naor
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 3.5 inch
$1,364
40cm Teddy Ferrari Tribute
Naor
Sculpture - 40 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$1,898
Deluxe Edition stickers volume 2
Invader
Print - 30 x 23 x 0.1 cm Print - 11.8 x 9.1 x 0 inch
$3,915
The Shimmering Cloud Of Love
Yasna Godovanik
Sculpture - 50 x 50 x 12 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 19.7 x 4.7 inch
$1,602
Panda boxeur Dior (monogramme)
Naor
Sculpture - 36 x 33 x 34 cm Sculpture - 14.2 x 13 x 13.4 inch
$1,637
Silhouette on Roses
Marian Williams
Painting - 40 x 40 x 4 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch
$475
Iron Man Soup
Priscilla Vettese
Sculpture - 29 x 9.7 x 9.7 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 3.8 x 3.8 inch
$463
My French Bulldog likes Campbell's soup
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$1,068
Crystal clear Jean
Richard Orlinski
Sculpture - 36 x 11 x 14 cm Sculpture - 14.2 x 4.3 x 5.5 inch
$27,048
Magnifying Glass (red)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 33 x 25 x 0.2 cm Print - 13 x 9.8 x 0.1 inch
$475
Kringel Neonpink / Dunkellila
Selçuk Dizlek
Sculpture - 26 x 25 x 6 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 9.8 x 2.4 inch
$1,186
Kringel Dichroic / Blau-Helllila
Selçuk Dizlek
Sculpture - 34 x 33 x 6 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 13 x 2.4 inch
$1,957
Smile On, Rainbow Flower!! Special Proof Ed 25
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 inch
$7,772
