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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One Dollar Rouge Mat
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 16.5 x 39.5 x 0.2 cm Sculpture - 6.5 x 15.6 x 0.1 inch
$2,729
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
$522
Gacko bear love pop art Ch
André Gacko
Sculpture - 27 x 26 x 21 cm Sculpture - 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.3 inch
$1,530
Période 11, 8ème jour
Yannick Bouillault
Sculpture - 30 x 22 x 23 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 8.7 x 9.1 inch
$534
Make love not war
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 15 x 38.5 x 4.5 cm Sculpture - 5.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 inch
$997
Statue of Liberty (unique mixed media on paper), 2009
Peter Max
Painting - 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11 x 8.5 x 0.1 inch
$2,213
Gacko bear love pop art Banksy white
André Gacko
Sculpture - 27 x 26 x 21 cm Sculpture - 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.3 inch
$1,530
One dollar rolls Orangy
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 33 x 4 x 4 cm Sculpture - 13 x 1.6 x 1.6 inch
$2,016
Charles Leclerc 2025 BRIK SIGNÉ
Ian Philip
Sculpture - 50 x 26 x 26 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 10.2 x 10.2 inch
$8,186
Darth Vader in Meditation
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 33 x 26 x 15 cm Sculpture - 13 x 10.2 x 5.9 inch
$281
Tristan Eaton Kiss My Assassin 400%
Bearbrick
Design - 28 x 13 x 10 cm Design - 11 x 5.1 x 3.9 inch
$1,661
The magic potion : the untold story (Red Bull)
Kobalt
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
$475
Urbn City Mixed Media VIII
Sven Pfrommer
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$771
URBN City Mixed Media VII
Sven Pfrommer
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$771
URBN City Mixed Media VI
Sven Pfrommer
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$771
Wrapping Bonbon Irisé Radiant
Laurence Jenkell
Sculpture - 35 x 11 x 6 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 4.3 x 2.4 inch
$12,457
Jean-Michel Basquiat - King Pleasure 400% & 100%
Bearbrick
Design - 28 x 10 x 10 cm Design - 11 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
$427
Edition sur papier Basquiat et Andy 730201900056 N°15/50
Pola 4.0
Print - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$688
Golden Note Design Sculpture White
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 38 x 16 x 12 cm Sculpture - 15 x 6.3 x 4.7 inch
$155
Shell Design Sculpture
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 28 x 32 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11 x 12.6 x 5.9 inch
$205
Basketball Collage
Mr Brainwash
Sculpture - 29.5 x 29.5 x 29.5 cm Sculpture - 11.6 x 11.6 x 11.6 inch
$2,847
David the golden boy
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 30 x 15 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch
$325
