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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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Sculpture, Détente, Gary Sculpteur

Détente

Gary Sculpteur

Sculpture - 18 x 34 x 13 cm Sculpture - 7.1 x 13.4 x 5.1 inch

$4,292

Photography, Net Trap, Arkadiy Kurta

Net Trap

Arkadiy Kurta

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography - 16 x 20 inch

$1,311

Sculpture, Juego I, Jesus Curia

Juego I

Jesus Curia

Sculpture - 40 x 30 x 20 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 inch

$4,649

Sculpture, Perdedor, Jesus Curia

Perdedor

Jesus Curia

Sculpture - 42 x 15 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch

$4,053

Sculpture, Amoureux, Ousmane Dermé

Amoureux

Ousmane Dermé

Sculpture - 37 x 12 x 9 cm Sculpture - 14.6 x 4.7 x 3.5 inch

$2,980

Fine Art Drawings, Pupille, Rossella Mercedes

Pupille

Rossella Mercedes

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch

$596

Sculpture, Curly, Pere Sala

Curly

Pere Sala

Sculpture - 18 x 31 x 15 cm Sculpture - 7.1 x 12.2 x 5.9 inch

$2,861

Photography, Courbes, Tanguy Mendrisse

Courbes

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography - 30 x 24 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 9.4 x 0 inch

$149

Painting, Blessed lady, MKate

Blessed lady

MKate

Painting - 45 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

$700

Photography, Kate Moss Nude, Bert Stern

Kate Moss Nude

Bert Stern

Photography - 49 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 19.3 x 13 x 0.4 inch

$4,649

Sculpture, L'éveil, Brigitte Dravet

L'éveil

Brigitte Dravet

Sculpture - 45 x 23 x 15 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 9.1 x 5.9 inch

$2,623

Painting, MESSAGERS III, Capton

MESSAGERS III

Capton

Painting - 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch

$656

Sculpture, Parenthese tatoo, Josepha

Parenthese tatoo

Josepha

Sculpture - 40 x 32 x 26 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 12.6 x 10.2 inch

$25,035

Photography, Tram Stop, Katerina Belkina

Tram Stop

Katerina Belkina

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$2,000

Sculpture, Sophie, Jacques Coquillay

Sophie

Jacques Coquillay

Sculpture - 39 x 18 x 22 cm Sculpture - 15.4 x 7.1 x 8.7 inch

$10,133

Sculpture, Torso, Irakli Tsuladze

Torso

Irakli Tsuladze

Sculpture - 50 x 12 x 10 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 4.7 x 3.9 inch

$2,742

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