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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Batman feat Hercules - Handmade sculpture for home decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 40 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$494
Medusas’ protective gaze
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 31 x 23 x 15 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 9.1 x 5.9 inch
$282
The Veiled Vestal Virgin Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 43 x 26 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 10.2 x 5.9 inch
$310
Golden glory the David with mask
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 34 x 15 x 15 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch
$395
Colère de réveils
Arman
Sculpture - 41 x 31 x 6 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 12.2 x 2.4 inch
$13,113 $11,802
Période 11, 8ème jour
Yannick Bouillault
Sculpture - 30 x 22 x 23 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 8.7 x 9.1 inch
$536
Boats and bridge
Volodymyr Gluhomanyuk
Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$763
The ship is under repair
Volodymyr Gluhomanyuk
Painting - 25 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$644
"Friendly bird walk" - series Bird market
Volodymyr Gluhomanyuk
Painting - 25 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$644
Pop Shop VI (complete set of 4 screen prints)
Keith Haring
Print - 34.3 x 41.9 x 0.3 cm Print - 13.5 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch
$119,950
Kit Invasion #18 Los Angeles
Invader
Print - 21.5 x 28.5 x 1 cm Print - 8.5 x 11.2 x 0.4 inch
$29,803
Bright Love - Blue & Gold
Daniela Pasqualini
Painting - 30.5 x 30.5 x 3.8 cm Painting - 12 x 12 x 1.5 inch
$500
Bright Love III
Daniela Pasqualini
Painting - 35.6 x 27.9 x 3.8 cm Painting - 14 x 11 x 1.5 inch
$500
Sailboat With Hearts On Blends
Peter Max
Painting - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$2,963
Statue of Liberty
Peter Max
Painting - 28.6 x 21.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11.25 x 8.5 x 0.1 inch
$2,213
Beau temps et précipitation
Frédéric Bourret
Painting - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$954
For the Love Of God XIIII
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 21 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.3 inch
$948
For the Love Of God V
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 21 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.3 inch
$948
Uni-Cone - Handmade sculpture for home decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 38 x 15 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch
$325
Pand'ours pop art Dior red
Christophe Comerro
Sculpture - 40 x 35 x 35 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 13.8 x 13.8 inch
$894
Kringel Dunkellila / Orange-Pink
Selçuk Dizlek
Sculpture - 35 x 34 x 6 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 13.4 x 2.4 inch
$2,146
Childhood recollections of the child Nathaniel
Roberto Fonfria
Painting - 43.2 x 35.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 17 x 14 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
Sonic: Urban Enforcer Edition
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 39 x 24 x 31 cm Sculpture - 15.4 x 9.4 x 12.2 inch
$452
Crowned Monkey Batman
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 33 x 17 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 6.7 x 3.9 inch
$894
For the Love Of God XV
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 21 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.3 inch
$948
For the Love Of God XII
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 21 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.3 inch
$948
For the Love Of God XI
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 21 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.3 inch
$948
For the Love Of God X
Diederik Van Apple
Sculpture - 30 x 18 x 21 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.3 inch
$948