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 Petit Prince revisite Murakami
Sokar
Print - 32 x 45 x 0.5 cm Print - 12.6 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch
€350
Le Petit Prince revisite Murakami
Sokar
Print - 32 x 45 x 0.5 cm Print - 12.6 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch
€350
Graceful Blooming Bear 2.0
Blooming Bears
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 12 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 4.7 inch
€3,186
Giant Chewbacca Chanel N.5
Norman Gekko
Sculpture - 40 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
€1,200
Avenue de Londres
Sebastien Beaulieu
Painting - 30 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€220
Luxury Art Toffee - Yellow Cab
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Les 4 cavaliers de l’apocalypse
Yohan Storti
Print - 49 x 49 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.3 x 19.3 x 0 inch
€89
Luxury Art Toffee Patek
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Queen Elisabeth in petrol with golden Basquiat crown
UTN
Painting - 45 x 32 cm Painting - 17.7 x 12.6 inch
€450
Queen Elisabeth in royal red with golden Basquiat crown
UTN
Painting - 45 x 32 cm Painting - 17.7 x 12.6 inch
€450
Luxury Art Toffee - Brigit Bardot (incl wooden box)
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€250
Luxury Art Toffee - Hommage to Versace (2)
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Lucky Blooming Bear 2.0
Blooming Bears
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 12 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 4.7 inch
€3,186
Cute Blooming Bear 2.0
Blooming Bears
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 12 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 4.7 inch
€3,186
Abundance Blooming Bear 2.0 - Small
Blooming Bears
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 12 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 4.7 inch
€3,186
Heartfelt Blooming Bear
Blooming Bears
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 12 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 4.7 inch
€3,413
Luxury Art Toffee - Luxury Fashion
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Luxury Art Toffee - Starbucks
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Hommage to Chiquita Toffee
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Luxury Art Toffee - Aston Martin
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Luxury Art Toffee DIOR
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Homage to Rolls Royce
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
€225
Dots Blooming Bear - Big
Blooming Bears
Sculpture - 50 x 33 x 23 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 13 x 9.1 inch
€4,210
Le temps de l'enfance
Helder Batista
Sculpture - 30 x 14 x 14 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 5.5 x 5.5 inch
€4,900
Shadows of the Past / Guardians of the Future
Brett Crawford
Painting - 40.6 x 29.2 x 2 cm Painting - 16 x 11.5 x 0.8 inch
€45,510
Through the Looking Glass
Robert Robinson
Sculpture - 26 x 18 x 3 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 7.1 x 1.2 inch
€350
Croco white marble bag
Phantom Art
Sculpture - 40 x 34 x 18 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 13.4 x 7.1 inch
€7,500
Pink onyx marble bag
Phantom Art
Sculpture - 40 x 34 x 18 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 13.4 x 7.1 inch
€9,500
I Wish I Was A Meme
James Jarvis
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 21 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 8.3 x 0.8 inch
€2,275
Luxury Design and Fashion Toffee
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 45 x 16 x 16 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 6.3 x 6.3 inch
€449
Luxury Design and Fashion Sculpture GUCCI
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 45 x 16 x 6 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 6.3 x 2.4 inch
€449
Steve Mc Queen
Vincent Gachaga
Sculpture - 50 x 50 x 12 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 19.7 x 4.7 inch
€2,600
Easy Money - In the Wood Planks
Nacks
Painting - 30 x 40 x 4.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 1.8 inch
€800
Darcy Vador
Jean-Marie Gitard (Mr Strange)
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€199
Big Bear Brick, Pink Design
Raffaele Ardor
Sculpture - 30 x 14 x 8 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 5.5 x 3.1 inch
€390
