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

3/32 1 2 3 4 5 10 20 30 32

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Abstrait nu N°19

Salvia 352

Nu abstrait N°23 - Monstera palace Pièce N°9

Le caraco noir

Coke en Stock

Marilyn Rare Black Dress (1962)

Guardian angel

82

85

Boat for two

Homme Blanc Pop Art

99

La Linea

La Reine de Pique

Mirrors of Memory

L'homme blanc

Las curvas

Montagne Yogi 89-22

Portrait

Idole 165-20

El patrimonio

Danse d'un Faune

Danse

Olympia

Angel and Boy

Etude de Fille

Elégie pour Jean-Mari n° 296

Portrait

Portrait

Set of 4 wall sculptures. From the Behind Closed Doors series

Coming Home

Poèmes insoumis

Judgement

An insipid notion #177. Framed

Etude

Au Cabaret

The Dance

The Ecstasy of St. Teresa

Pieta

Emerge

Etude

Rosi

Ballerina no. 20, Series XXV

Pavarti Cantatrice

Soir de première

Natacha

Overwhelmed - Format S

Poèmes insoumis

Bright girls 3

Bright Girls 7

Red Fish

Tamago 3

Tête bleue

L'Offrande et la pierre plate

Au Cabaret

New Generation

Voorste Stroom (Série reflets)

I'll always stand by your side

The more we share, the more we have

Men Working

Stone & ceramic composition

Witness Series

Cloned Polar Bear with pet bottle

S040 L'Amour

S030 LA Corde 5/8

Marilyn stretching the jewelry