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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Maiko in Kyoto, Cherry Blossoms on Blue
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€2,412
Two Halves Make A Whole Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 31 x 23 x 23 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 9.1 x 9.1 inch
€186
Amy Winehouse, do it with style
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
€1,900
Hope Of Deliverance (Papyrus)
tizlu
Fine Art Drawings - 34 x 25 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.4 x 9.8 x 0 inch
€880 €748
France géologique
Clara Castagné
Fine Art Drawings - 45 x 35 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
€800
France économiques
Clara Castagné
Fine Art Drawings - 45 x 35 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
€800
Mandchourie
Clara Castagné
Fine Art Drawings - 45 x 35 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
€800
Afrique physique
Clara Castagné
Fine Art Drawings - 45 x 35 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
€800
La Cage où les Gens Pleurent
Sandra Chevrier
Sculpture - 30 x 22 x 17 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 8.7 x 6.7 inch
€2,590
Skull in the Meditation with Neon Design
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 32 x 32 x 25 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 12.6 x 9.8 inch
€742
Elegante en robe jaune
Martine Fauve Dechavanne
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€880
![Sculpture, En tête à tête... "Murmure" [version : blanche] (Histoire de famille 2021), Olivier Messas](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1547697_1_grid.jpg)
En tête à tête... "Murmure" [version : blanche] (Histoire de famille 2021)
Olivier Messas
Sculpture - 34 x 15 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 5.9 x 3.9 inch
€2,500
Marilyn Laughing in Black Dress
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
€2,490
Irlande
Clara Castagné
Fine Art Drawings - 36 x 30 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.2 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€700
Toulouse-Lautrec (From: Quinze Gravures)
Salvador Dali
Print - 45 x 31.5 x 1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.4 x 0.4 inch
€3,000
Acteur de l'ombre 103-19
Philippe Buil
Sculpture - 42 x 14 x 8 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 5.5 x 3.1 inch
€700
Rousse aux yeux clairs
Martine Fauve Dechavanne
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
€500
Diptych Madonna with Long Neck and Room in a Room
Alex Hodge
Sculpture - 40.6 x 33 x 2.5 cm Sculpture - 16 x 13 x 1 inch
€751
At the End of the Day
Natia Sapanadze
Painting - 44 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 17.3 x 13 x 0.8 inch
€1,900
La lecture
Martine Fauve Dechavanne
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€530
Mystérieuse
Martine Fauve Dechavanne
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€530
Maiko in Kyoto, Cherry Blossoms on Red
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
€2,412
Every day is a gift
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
€1,700 €1,530
Medusas’ Protective Gaze
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 31 x 23 x 15 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 9.1 x 5.9 inch
€247
Surge of Emotions
Karen Akhikyan
Sculpture - 41 x 34 x 35 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 13.4 x 13.8 inch
€1,549
Unlocking Insight
Karen Akhikyan
Sculpture - 42 x 17 x 16 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 6.7 x 6.3 inch
€1,549
Atlas & Gold Glove
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 47 x 26 x 29 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 10.2 x 11.4 inch
€711
Hercules in Flight
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 40 x 29 x 20 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 11.4 x 7.9 inch
€557
David in Meditation with Neon Design
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 36 x 27 x 12 cm Sculpture - 14.2 x 10.6 x 4.7 inch
€705
Marc Jacobs blue, Portrait
Manuel Santelices
Painting - 40.6 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting - 16 x 12 x 1 inch
€751