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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Acid Party David Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 42 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$311
Tableau Flacon Rock love
Fred Meurice
Sculpture - 29 x 32 x 3.5 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 12.6 x 1.4 inch
$825
Collage
Sergio Barletta
Fine Art Drawings - 41.5 x 34 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.3 x 13.4 x 0.1 inch
$712
Un sourire
Alexandre Moore Rockefeller
Painting - 36 x 48.5 x 0.6 cm Painting - 14.2 x 19.1 x 0.2 inch
$1,780
Radiant Baby YP x Keith Haring
Keith Haring
Design - 36 x 50 x 4 cm Design - 14.2 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch
$522
La prière sous le soleil
Xiaoyang Galas
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3.8 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.5 inch
$1,740
Where there is life, there is hope II
Tamara Bakhshinyan
Painting - 45 x 45 x 2.2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.9 inch
$652
Please don't kill my vibe
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 35 x 14 x 8 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 5.5 x 3.1 inch
$212
Imperial Death Trooper
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 42 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$367
Golden Streak Artemis
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 14 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 5.5 inch
$283
Golden Beauty David
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 44 x 25 x 14 cm Sculpture - 17.3 x 9.8 x 5.5 inch
$254
Daft Punk Meets The Greeks
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 40 x 29 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.4 x 5.9 inch
$466
Binge Watcher David
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 42 x 25 x 14 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 9.8 x 5.5 inch
$438
Gentleman of the near future
Ventzislav Dikov
Painting - 36 x 36 x 1 cm Painting - 14.2 x 14.2 x 0.4 inch
$1,127
Gathering of gentlemen
Ventzislav Dikov
Painting - 30 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
$1,305
Sunday afternoon
Ventzislav Dikov
Painting - 40 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,305
Love is battlefield
Jorn Van Hoorn
Sculpture - 40 x 20 x 27 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.9 x 10.6 inch
$6,525
Raw Orange, Epreuve d'artiste
Richard Orlinski
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$1,174
Homage to Jackon Pollock (blue)
Ad Van Hassel
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
$267
Gauloise, aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 40 x 32 x 3 cm Print - 15.7 x 12.6 x 1.2 inch
$830
Gauloise (rouge), aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 40 x 32 x 2 cm Print - 15.7 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch
$830
Gauloise (jaune), aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 40 x 32 x 2 cm Print - 15.7 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch
$830
Popeye (bleu), aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 40 x 35 x 3 cm Print - 15.7 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch
$830
Popeye (jaune), aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 40 x 35 x 3 cm Print - 15.7 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch
$830
Mickey (rose) aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 36 x 32 x 3 cm Print - 14.2 x 12.6 x 1.2 inch
$830
Mickey (vert), aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 38 x 32 x 1 cm Print - 15 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch
$830
Escape from the Grid – Cat Meets Mondrian
Victo
Painting - 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch
$1,000
Homage to Roy Lichtenstein
Ad Van Hassel
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
$267
Homage to Andy Warhol x Campbell Soup
Ad Van Hassel
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
$267
The Pop Vibe Of Fashion II
Alejandro Moretti
Sculpture - 40 x 29 x 12.5 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.4 x 4.9 inch
$652 $326
Popeye (rouge), aquagravure originale
Eric Liot
Print - 40 x 35 x 3 cm Print - 15.7 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch
$830
