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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Le regard rose
Jéko
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$694
Girl by the Window
Natia Sapanadze
Painting - 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
$1,121
This Machine (Party At The Moontower)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$289
Rip It Up (Party At The Moontower)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$289
N° 1270 Massada. Le scribe.
R. Cavalié
Painting - 41 x 27 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch
$578
Gone | Companionship in the Age of Loneliness | Companion and BFF
Kaws
Print - 38.1 x 30.5 cm Print - 15 x 12 inch
$7,918
Cuckoo bird
Galya Popova
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch
$405
Jean-Marc Barr
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$694
Les Nuls en Ripolin
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$694
Pierre Desproges
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$694
Cocktail Apple F2
Virginia Benedicto
Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 45 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 inch
$2,832
Tribute to Max Ernst
Sophie Verger
Sculpture - 38 x 15 x 14 cm Sculpture - 15 x 5.9 x 5.5 inch
$4,046
Barman danseur
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$1,098
Bustier Issey Miyake
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$1,098
David Lynch bien coiffé
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$1,387
Autoportrait à 45 ans
Muriel Deumie
Painting - 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch
$925
Monsieur Pipi Au Naturel (Le Palace)
Arnaud Baumann
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch
$1,098
Crimson Serenity (1)
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 32 x 28 x 20 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 11 x 7.9 inch
$329
Woman with umbrella in a rainy city
Schagen Vita
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$925
Romantic woman. Portrait of the female artist
Schagen Vita
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$925
A woman in the city at sunset
Schagen Vita
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$925
Abundance and Inner Peace
Sargis Zaqaryan
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$600
Dreamer of La Mancha
Sargis Zaqaryan
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$600
Jane Forth & Jed and Jay Johnson in NY in 1970
Manuel Santelices
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.1 inch
$800
Lauren in Balenciaga. From the Fashion series
Manuel Santelices
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.1 inch
$850