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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Hermes & Skull Design
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 30 x 20 x 18 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.9 x 7.1 inch
$424
Apple Vermeer Black
James Chiew
Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 45 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 inch
$3,262
Appel golden age zwart
James Chiew
Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 45 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 inch
$3,262
SA Mickey x Mr Doodle – Black & White
Mr Doodle
Sculpture - 29 x 11 x 30 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 4.3 x 11.8 inch
$2,254
Acid party David - Handmade sculpture for home decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 42 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$311
Imperial death Trooper
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 42 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$367
Golden streak Artemis
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 14 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 5.5 inch
$283
Hercules Last Supper
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 40 x 29 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.4 x 5.9 inch
$466
NY C.A.P. One - Au sommet du monde
Mitch Richmond
Sculpture - 15 x 27 x 18 cm Sculpture - 5.9 x 10.6 x 7.1 inch
$712
One Dollar Rols gold pink
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 40.5 x 5 x 5 cm Sculpture - 15.9 x 2 x 2 inch
$1,174
One Dollar Rols Black & White
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 40.5 x 5 x 5 cm Sculpture - 15.9 x 2 x 2 inch
$1,163
The Goddess Of The Hunt Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 44 x 22 x 15 cm Sculpture - 17.3 x 8.7 x 5.9 inch
$184
Ludwig van Beethoven
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 43 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch
$184
Il suffit d’un petit rien
Laetitia Vidal
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
$925
Double pop (tribute to Haring)
Dr. Love
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$107
Love and hope (a tribute to Banksy)
Dr. Love
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$107
Moya créateur de son personnage
Patrick Moya
Sculpture - 29 x 15 x 12 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 5.9 x 4.7 inch
$3,559
Dècollage Picasso (a tribute to P. Picasso)
Dr. Love
Painting - 29 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$107
Big love (tribute to Haring)
Dr. Love
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$107
Lucien Teddy Bear No27
Séverine Bugna
Sculpture - 34 x 28 x 22 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 11 x 8.7 inch
$1,127 $1,014
Blue dove (a tribute to Picasso)
Dr. Love
Painting - 30 x 40 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch
$107
Brockhaus 6, 1906
Alexander Korzer-Robinson
Sculpture - 26 x 18 x 6 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 7.1 x 2.4 inch
$830
Rue du Pont-aux-Choux
Jacques Villeglé
Painting - 41.2 x 32.7 x 0.2 cm Painting - 16.2 x 12.9 x 0.1 inch
$5,932
The girl in red
Caro Graffiti
Sculpture - 44.5 x 27 x 2 cm Sculpture - 17.5 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch
$1,602
The last ice cream-Violet
Sagrasse
Sculpture - 30 x 11 x 11 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 4.3 x 4.3 inch
$415 $374
Autoportrait, le poilu, 84-88
César Baldaccini
Sculpture - 44 x 16 x 11 cm Sculpture - 17.3 x 6.3 x 4.3 inch
$30,845
The Boy With the Donut Balloon
Truteau
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$593
Une reconquête moderne de l’espace classique III
Valerio Adami
Print - 40 x 30 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 inch
$297
King Pop Green
Monsieur Mollotov
Sculpture - 40 x 24 x 40 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.4 x 15.7 inch
$700
