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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Un Français a donné un canapé, quatre chaises et un fauteuil
Alexander Daniloff
Fine Art Drawings - 33 x 24 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch
$308 $278
Luxury Art Toffee - Ferrari
Michael Daniels
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
Sold
Nouvelle Vague
Alexandre Taillandier
Fine Art Drawings - 41 x 33 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$854
Portrait 1
Alexandre Taillandier
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$569
Flower Bike Man - Delft 5 colors Limited Edition
Nils.Rva
Print - 21 x 29.7 cm Print - 8.3 x 11.7 inch
$89
Evening embankment in Croatia
Helen Shukina
Painting - 25 x 40 x 1.8 cm Painting - 9.8 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch
$500
Walking in Venice - Old Italy Belle Epoque painting
Francesco Tammaro
Painting - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Pay homage to Positano - Italy old scene painting
Francesco Tammaro
Painting - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Âlif - Clou cristal
Yazid Oulab
Sculpture - 15 x 50 x 15 cm Sculpture - 5.9 x 19.7 x 5.9 inch
$8,186
Perspective d'animal
Georges Bru
Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 29 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 11.4 inch
$1,780
Petits rêveurs - Jeux d'enfants
Nacks
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.4 inch
$712
Morning Breeze
Tamara Bakhshinyan
Painting - 29 x 29 x 3.5 cm Painting - 11.4 x 11.4 x 1.4 inch
$297
Madonna protégée par ses gorilles (1992)
Francis Apesteguy
Photography - 21 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$1,056
Etude in the botanical garden
Helen Shukina
Painting - 25 x 35 x 1.8 cm Painting - 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.7 inch
$400
Brown Artistic Jardiniere
Jan Beranek
Design - 9 x 33 x 16 cm Design - 3.5 x 13 x 6.3 inch
$344 $310
Barry Lyndon
Benjamin Pietri
Sculpture - 26 x 19.5 x 5.5 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 7.7 x 2.2 inch
$463 $416
Betrayal of the Queen
Arto Mkrtchyan
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$450
Along the Seine - France Paris painting & frame
Domenico Ronca
Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
Sold
Should we love again or not ?
Natalya Mougenot
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
$415
Hommage à Pompon
Michel Audiard
Sculpture - 25 x 50 x 16 cm Sculpture - 9.8 x 19.7 x 6.3 inch
$1,542
Playboy Lips
Benjamin Pietri
Sculpture - 26 x 19.5 x 5.5 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 7.7 x 2.2 inch
$380 $342
Captain Andy (Red Edition)
Copyright
Print - 50 x 35 x 0.2 cm Print - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch
$534 $480
Flowery coast in Positano - Italy painting + handmade frame
Gianni Di Guida
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
Sold
Rage - le cri
Flo. M
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$475 $427
Le monde coloré de Mr Hope
MrHope
Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$178 $160
Le monde coloré de Mr Hope
MrHope
Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$178 $160
