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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Singes de la Sagesse Crazy cool
Miko-R
Sculpture - 29 x 16 x 17 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 6.3 x 6.7 inch
€2,200
Seasonal Contrasts
Cristina Stefan
Painting - 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.5 cm Painting - 12 x 9 x 0.2 inch
€439
Dream garden
Saverio Filioli Uranio
Painting - 30 x 21 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
€95
Petite monade sous plexi
Antoine Graff
Sculpture - 46 x 36 x 6 cm Sculpture - 18.1 x 14.2 x 2.4 inch
€1,800
Good Morning Starshine
Bob Palmerton
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.5 inch
€580
Eastbound Trail
Bob Palmerton
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 22.9 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 9 x 0.5 inch
€603
Hippo - Hippopotame
Zachariah Njobo
Sculpture - 23 x 36 x 25 cm Sculpture - 9.1 x 14.2 x 9.8 inch
€2,200
Jardin grillé - Paysage abstrait
Anne-Marie Renno
Painting - 38 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 15 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
€320
Jardin effeuillé - Paysage abstrait
Anne-Marie Renno
Painting - 38 x 46 x 2 cm Painting - 15 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch
€320
Jardin rouillé - Paysage abstrait
Anne-Marie Renno
Painting - 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch
€320
Fille au papillon
Albena Vatcheva
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€299 €285
Alex resting
Richard Dunkley
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.5 inch
€341
Not Watching Im Seeking, Bozcaada
Yusuf Epcin
Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€496
Shade of Apricot, Saraycik
Yusuf Epcin
Painting - 23 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 9.1 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
€396
Au coin de la rue aux prêtres
André Boubounelle
Painting - 19.8 x 36 x 2 cm Painting - 7.8 x 14.2 x 0.8 inch
€2,500
No name 40.30 #50
Stéphane Rime
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
€70
La dame au chapeau
Albena Vatcheva
Painting - 30 x 25 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch
€235 €224
Orchid meditation
Carol Steinberg
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€1,215
Half dome reflections four
Carol Steinberg
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€1,215
Végas pop art Naomi Vogue
Christophe Comerro
Sculpture - 45 x 30 x 45 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 11.8 x 17.7 inch
€980
The Needs of the Many...
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
Apart But Still Together
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
The Feeling is Mutual
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 45.7 x 45.7 x 1.5 cm Painting - 18 x 18 x 0.6 inch
€464
Coney Island of the mind, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Tom Russell
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
€2,226
Escape Artist
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
Here We Go Again
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
Mindscape III
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
Forever Young
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
Forever Young II
Joyce Fournier
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch
€343 €258
