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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Ourson Teddy Chanel Marbre (1)
Naor
Sculpture - 35 x 26 x 25 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 10.2 x 9.8 inch
$682
A Moment of Rest
Menashe Kadishman
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$1,799
And Then... All Things Good and Bad, All Days Fine and Rough
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 inch
$2,120
Royal Selangor Arabesque Golden 400%
Bearbrick
Design - 28 x 13 x 10 cm Design - 11 x 5.1 x 3.9 inch
$5,339
Something to lick mini #023
Hersk
Sculpture - 41 x 13 x 13 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 inch
$830
Medusas’ Protective Gaze
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 31 x 23 x 15 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 9.1 x 5.9 inch
$283
And Then x 6 (Blue: The Superflat Method)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$2,473
Mondrian mood
Bernard Saint-Maxent
Painting - 50 x 50 x 6 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 2.4 inch
$1,780
Plan de métro la panthère rose(1)
Fat
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$1,424
Atlas & Gold Glove
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 47 x 26 x 29 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 10.2 x 11.4 inch
$813
Hercules in Flight
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 40 x 29 x 20 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.4 x 7.9 inch
$636
David in Meditation with Neon Design
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 36 x 27 x 12 cm Sculpture - 14.2 x 10.6 x 4.7 inch
$805
The Art of Conversation with Marry Poppins
Onemizer
Painting - 35 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
$2,076
Raw Complete Collection
Richard Orlinski
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
$5,932
Touching The Surface (Papyrus)
tizlu
Fine Art Drawings - 33 x 23 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13 x 9.1 x 0 inch
$1,044
Chien Ballon apesanteur en nickel bleue
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 29 x 6.5 x 6.5 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 2.6 x 2.6 inch
$512
Le Liquide noir
Yannick Bouillault
Sculpture - 45 x 23 x 22 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 9.1 x 8.7 inch
$712
The Gotham city
Tarek
Fine Art Drawings - 44 x 28 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.3 x 11 x 0 inch
$830
I got ingot...To resell in 2029
Marie Serruya
Sculpture - 48 x 30 x 3 cm Sculpture - 18.9 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
$2,847
Chien Ballon apesanteur en nickel
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 29 x 6.5 x 6.5 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 2.6 x 2.6 inch
$569
Rêverie... (Souvenirs du sud)
Olivier Messas
Painting - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$830
Energy of Sunrise...
Olivier Messas
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,898
Prendre son envol...
Olivier Messas
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,898
The Black Supreme Shadow Figure
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 37 x 15 x 15 cm Sculpture - 14.6 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch
$593
Illuminated Green -Sculpture with Lampshade
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 46 x 15 x 13 cm Sculpture - 18.1 x 5.9 x 5.1 inch
$848
Illuminated Grey Sculpture with Lampshade
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 46 x 15 x 12 cm Sculpture - 18.1 x 5.9 x 4.7 inch
$848
Goofy à L'institut du Monde Arabe
Fat
Painting - 38 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 15 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
$1,186 $1,068
