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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

8/57 1 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 57

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Poème 20220427

Emotion 20210414-2

Geometrical shapes XII

Landscape swatch

Moon N°2

Untitled #5

Another Kiss

Arbre caillou fleurs bleues

Composition florale 1

Cy Twombly’s chair.

Sandra Nunnerley at home

Hamish Bowles apartment in New York

Instilling paranoia into the poodle's cerebral cortex

B1 Genova

Morning Silence

Reconstruction 202206-1

Spring flowers 20240105

Abstract Life 20210910

Abstract Life 20210909

Emotion 20210826

Emotion 20210427

Merry Christmas

20:47

Magnolia No. 46

Autumn Bouquet

Shadow Study No. 6

Coast

Ocre de vert et jaune

The Kiss Of Wildflowers II

A Little Serenade Of Prague

Totem Pierre N°2

Blue signs

Blue fresh

Landscape swatch N°3

Encrage n°1

Maggio Fiorentino

Goodbye Maremma

Landscape swatch N°2

Iris No. 132

Branch Study No. 16

Plant Study No. 102

Swallow No. 42

Magnolia No. 37

Abstract Floral No. 11

Floral No. 43

Floral No. 44

Floral No. 45

Flower

Feu d'artifice

Pinky

Cascade

Jaune Simple

Ecriture

Bleutée

Labyrinthe

Paysage

Funky 2

Fleurs

Chat

Saint Suaire

Le Persécuté

Elegant Dominant #2

Lily No. 10

Systematic Language Enhanced Culture

Paysages 201

Nymphée bleu