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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

21/28 1 10 19 20 21 22 23 28

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Abstrait sans titre I

Formation III

Dynamograph "Hidden Image"

Marilyn

Wellenelement Rotation dynamisch

Spinnaker R40

Pastel section

Colors Inside

Zen cercle

Spheres

AB 538

Digital error #004

Color Block #12

Duo #11

Untitled from the series Shifty Packets

Untitled from the series Shifty Packets

Untitled from the series Shifty Packets

Denfert 2

Autumn Gold

Geometry

Les couleurs d'A.R. 5 : Mes petites Amoureuses

Les couleurs d'A.R. 4: Fleurs

Les couleurs d'A.R. 3 : Ophélie

Les couleurs d'A.R. 2 : L'étoile a pleuré rose

Les couleurs d'A.R. 6 : Le Dormeur du Val

Forge

3BVFV-24

Terre-ifiant II

Terre-ifiant I

Game cube 1

Clown

Fama

Woman from island

Géométrie Variable

Pop Star

Color block #10

Color block #8

Torreilles

Peluche Décousue

C3RR1R02-24

The Sacred Arch

The sacred path

Vase Khroma 3.2

Xanthos

Aureus

Marroqui

Cloud (Atlantic tropical cyclons 1954-2021)

A balancing land

Green mountain

Le robinet surprenant 2

Pink forest

Forest and Black

CV9L2F-25

Bandage

Sans titre

N°8

N°11

Superposition Bleue

Gold Star

Silver Moon

Copper Shield

Edene

Rotterdam Cube Houses

Les objets visuels sont des tout 4

Hexagon

Samo

Oscillable #3

Shaple Pompoulaine SHPL85