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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Marilyn Rare Black Dress (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$2,954
Homme Blanc Pop Art
Jérôme Mesnager
Painting - 22.5 x 29.5 x 0.02 cm Painting - 8.9 x 11.6 x 0 inch
$771
Mirrors of Memory
Harutyun Aghajanyan
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$600
Montagne Yogi 89-22
Philippe Buil
Sculpture - 29 x 17 x 10 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 6.7 x 3.9 inch
$1,127
An insipid notion #177. Framed
Javier Rey
Photography - 30 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$800
Set of 4 wall sculptures. From the Behind Closed Doors series
Alex Hodge
Sculpture - 47 x 43.2 x 0.6 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 17 x 0.25 inch
$1,600
Etude
Franciszek Starowieyski
Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$712
The Ecstasy of St. Teresa
Alex Hodge
Sculpture - 45.7 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm Sculpture - 18 x 4.5 x 4.5 inch
$1,700
Ballerina no. 20, Series XXV
Mario Henrique
Painting - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$1,008
Pavarti Cantatrice
Philippe Buil
Sculpture - 35 x 15 x 13 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inch
$1,483
Soir de première
Philippe Buil
Sculpture - 47 x 30 x 30 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 11.8 x 11.8 inch
$1,839
Overwhelmed - Format S
Deborah Zuanazzi
Photography - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$712
Poèmes insoumis
André Masson
Fine Art Drawings - 28 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,780 $1,513
Poèmes insoumis
André Masson
Fine Art Drawings - 31.5 x 25 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.4 x 9.8 x 0.1 inch
$1,780 $1,513
L'Offrande et la pierre plate
Réjane LeChat
Sculpture - 45 x 9 x 14 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 3.5 x 5.5 inch
$2,135
Voorste Stroom (Série reflets)
Ellen Geerts
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$830
I'll always stand by your side
Natalya Mougenot
Painting - 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch
$688
The more we share, the more we have
Natalya Mougenot
Painting - 27 x 35 x 1.5 cm Painting - 10.6 x 13.8 x 0.6 inch
$688
Stone & ceramic composition
Stavri Kalinov
Painting - 32 x 26 x 2 cm Painting - 12.6 x 10.2 x 0.8 inch
$1,780
Cloned Polar Bear with pet bottle
William Sweetlove
Sculpture - 40 x 26 x 21 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 10.2 x 8.3 inch
$5,932
S040 L'Amour
Jacques Tenenhaus
Sculpture - 40 x 40 x 60 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 15.7 x 23.6 inch
$23,727
S030 LA Corde 5/8
Jacques Tenenhaus
Sculpture - 43 x 35 x 22 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 13.8 x 8.7 inch
$14,829
Marilyn stretching the jewelry
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 inch
$2,954
Sans titre
Franciszek Starowieyski
Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$712
Flexion à genoux Moodhanasana
Brigitte De Cesco
Sculpture - 8 x 39 x 10 cm Sculpture - 3.1 x 15.4 x 3.9 inch
$1,068
Apple of Hope
Tetiana Pchelnykova
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.8 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.7 inch
$652
Enganchado a ti
Carol Tomàs Alcaine
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
$949
Roots of a nation
Emmanuel Okoro
Sculpture - 46 x 20 x 20 cm Sculpture - 18.1 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch
$3,674
Neil Armstrong
André Robillard
Sculpture - 31 x 21 x 20.5 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 8.3 x 8.1 inch
$2,373
Corazon y alma
James Sparshatt
Photography - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$1,008 $908
Mudra du cœur Apan Vayu
Brigitte De Cesco
Sculpture - 29 x 8 x 10 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 3.1 x 3.9 inch
$1,020
Danza (omaggio a Matisse)
Dr. Love
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$107
Journey Home: Preserving Serenity
Tetiana Pchelnykova
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.8 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.7 inch
$771
Marilyn in Famous Black Dress (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$2,954
Après ma cigarette c'est toi que je fume
G. Carta
Painting - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$712
