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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Waiting for Spring
Miyuki Takanashi
Painting - 33.3 x 24.2 x 2 cm Painting - 13.1 x 9.5 x 0.8 inch
$578
The Seedsof the Heart Blossom
Miyuki Takanashi
Painting - 27.3 x 32 x 2 cm Painting - 10.7 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch
$578
Joseph and his Brothers
Marc Chagall
Print - 36.5 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print - 14.4 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$12,137
El viajero & Compradito (Bronze)
Antonio Segui
Sculpture - 20 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 7.9 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
$5,779
Dreaming Muse #2
Lilit Soghomonyan
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,849
La sieste sous les arbres
Jéko
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 42 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch
$959
Faces of health: The multi-faceted hygieia decor
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 33 x 20 x 20 cm Sculpture - 13 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch
$220
Marilyn's Vibes
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$1,387
Guardian of the Heart
Liana Asatryan
Painting - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$600
Où est le jour (Poème #13)
Marc Chagall
Print - 34 x 26 x 1 cm Print - 13.4 x 10.2 x 0.4 inch
$11,559
Overwhelmed - Format S
Deborah Zuanazzi
Photography - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$694
Bowie Space Oddity
Mick Rock
Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$2,843
Le cordonnier (pour les Fables de la Fontaine)
Marc Chagall
Print - 29.5 x 24 x 0.2 cm Print - 11.6 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch
$3,005
The Last Tupperware Party 2
Marian Williams
Painting - 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch
$289
The Magic Hidden In The Portraits
Ya-Wei Li
Painting - 45 x 35 x 4 cm Painting - 17.7 x 13.8 x 1.6 inch
$2,312
El patrón
Teo Franco
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch
$636
Ironía
Teo Franco
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch
$636
Aún perdura el recuerdo
Teo Franco
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch
$636
El secreto
Teo Franco
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch
$636
Je trouve de la douceur à vous le dire
Sandra Detourbet
Painting - 35 x 50 x 0.3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
$982
Magritte X Mondrian
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 33 x 41 x 2 cm Painting - 13 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch
$312
Perfect Stranger (The One Time Encounter)
Ephraim Udoka
Fine Art Drawings - 41.9 x 29 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.4 x 1 inch
$850
Joeur de football sur fond sienna / Soccer Player on sienna background
Moon Shin
Painting - 42 x 27 cm Painting - 16.5 x 10.6 inch
$3,410
Self-portrait as Jack Sparrow (Series Where does all this rum always disappear to?)
Bulat Valeriy
Painting - 50 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch
$809
Without Fear and Reproach
Bulat Valeriy
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$867
Popeye x In-N-Out: Burger Sailor Edition
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 36 x 17 x 18 cm Sculpture - 14.2 x 6.7 x 7.1 inch
$329
Boujee Miss America
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 35 x 11 x 13 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 4.3 x 5.1 inch
$247
Royal Princess Bust
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 41 x 27 x 25 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 10.6 x 9.8 inch
$165
David & The Great Wave off Kanagawa
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 42 x 25 x 12 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 9.8 x 4.7 inch
$329
Hermes Lego Design
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 30 x 20 x 18 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 7.9 x 7.1 inch
$329
Coloured African Sculpture
Dervis Akdemir
Sculpture - 31 x 12 x 8 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 4.7 x 3.1 inch
$206