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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Painting, Actarus, Lasveguix

Actarus

Lasveguix

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

$596

Sculpture, Opera, Santicri

Opera

Santicri

Sculpture - 40 x 13 x 7 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 5.1 x 2.8 inch

$465

Sculpture, Capsule Chanel Pop, S2Bart

Capsule Chanel Pop

S2Bart

Sculpture - 35 x 35 x 4 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 13.8 x 1.6 inch

$358

Painting, Liberty Head, Peter Max

Liberty Head

Peter Max

Painting - 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11 x 8.5 x 0.1 inch

$2,213

Sculpture, Flexo Be Zen 2 noir, Zed

Flexo Be Zen 2 noir

Zed

Sculpture - 23 x 28 x 14 cm Sculpture - 9.1 x 11 x 5.5 inch

$191

Design, The Promise Grey, Kaws

The Promise Grey

Kaws

Design - 34 x 16 x 24 cm Design - 13.4 x 6.3 x 9.4 inch

$1,776

Painting, Playboy Balloon, Toctoc

Playboy Balloon

Toctoc

Painting - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

$1,431

Painting, Melba, Hope 1393

Melba

Hope 1393

Painting - 20.3 x 30.5 cm Painting - 8 x 12 inch

$1,431

Painting, Maliha, Hope 1393

Maliha

Hope 1393

Painting - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

$1,431

Design, Kachamukku Black, Kaws

Kachamukku Black

Kaws

Design - 32 x 21 x 12 cm Design - 12.6 x 8.3 x 4.7 inch

$1,013

Painting, 002, Cocoquelicots

002

Cocoquelicots

Painting - 30.5 x 20.3 x 0.3 cm Painting - 12 x 8 x 0.1 inch

$1,431

Painting, Mister Duck, Stoz

Mister Duck

Stoz

Painting - 40 x 29 x 9 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.4 x 3.5 inch

$358

Painting, Pugno, Clet Abraham

Pugno

Clet Abraham

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$3,815

Painting, Monopoly Guy, Mr.Oreke

Monopoly Guy

Mr.Oreke

Painting - 49 x 49 x 0.02 cm Painting - 19.3 x 19.3 x 0 inch

$955

Sculpture, Mmmh graffiti, Sagrasse

Mmmh graffiti

Sagrasse

Sculpture - 33 x 20 x 3 cm Sculpture - 13 x 7.9 x 1.2 inch

$477

Sculpture, Kiss Fushia, Sagrasse

Kiss Fushia

Sagrasse

Sculpture - 30 x 22 x 8 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 8.7 x 3.1 inch

$525

Painting, Lp Marbre Noir, Marie KVK

Lp Marbre Noir

Marie KVK

Painting - 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

$596

Painting, Lisa, Marian Williams

Lisa

Marian Williams

Painting - 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

$236

Sculpture, Gulden apple, Ghost Art

Gulden apple

Ghost Art

Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 45 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 inch

$2,921

Painting, La Vie en Rose, Toctoc

La Vie en Rose

Toctoc

Painting - 29.7 x 21 x 0.01 cm Painting - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

$1,252

Painting, Gye Nyame I, Lawrence Amoo

Gye Nyame I

Lawrence Amoo

Painting - 45 x 34 x 2.5 cm Painting - 17.7 x 13.4 x 1 inch

$5,999

Design, Display Dior, Kaws

Display Dior

Kaws

Design - 32 x 2 x 8 cm Design - 12.6 x 0.8 x 3.1 inch

$4,767

Sculpture, Art Attack, Sagrasse

Art Attack

Sagrasse

Sculpture - 33 x 12 x 9 cm Sculpture - 13 x 4.7 x 3.5 inch

$238

Print, Blood Cells, Nora Ampova

Blood Cells

Nora Ampova

Print - 31 x 22 x 0.2 cm Print - 12.2 x 8.7 x 0.1 inch

$1,085 $976

Print, Fucking world, Sagrasse

Fucking world

Sagrasse

Print - 45 x 35 x 21 cm Print - 17.7 x 13.8 x 8.3 inch

$525

Print, Love Colors, Sagrasse

Love Colors

Sagrasse

Print - 24 x 31 x 12 cm Print - 9.4 x 12.2 x 4.7 inch

$274

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