Les absolues "21 VIII 2007"
Jack Hironimus
Painting - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$536
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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Les absolues "24 II 2006"
Jack Hironimus
Painting - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$536
Vendome lifestyle gold version 19/50
Johan Chaaz
Print - 42 x 29 x 1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.4 x 0.4 inch
$119
Nu Homme Grand
Martín Duque
Sculpture - 31.5 x 37 x 27.5 cm Sculpture - 12.4 x 14.6 x 10.8 inch
$1,776
Abstrait nu N°26
Aurélie Trabaud
Painting - 30.5 x 26.7 x 0.1 cm Painting - 12 x 10.5 x 0 inch
$632 $569
Femme Nu Grand II
Martín Duque
Sculpture - 36.5 x 49.5 x 29 cm Sculpture - 14.4 x 19.5 x 11.4 inch
$1,776
Rivière de lune
Tanguy Mendrisse
Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$191
Schwurhand: Frau rennt weg mit Gehirn
Joseph Beuys
Print - 50 x 43 cm Print - 19.7 x 16.9 inch
$2,265
Andi Heart Lollipop
Oliver Hadji
Photography - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$715 $536
"Pearls" la dernière séance (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 26 x 37 x 2 cm Photography - 10.2 x 14.6 x 0.8 inch
$2,372
La semeuse de marguerites
Guillaume Cavalier
Painting - 41 x 31 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16.1 x 12.2 x 0.1 inch
$2,253
Marilyn Boob Smile (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$5,841
Brigitte Bardot. Saint Tropez
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$4,649
Marilyn Monroe. Baby Nude
Bert Stern
Photography - 31 x 45 x 1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
$5,841
Marilyn Monroe 1962. New baby in silver
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$5,841
Marilyn 1962 (New baby in Gold)
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$5,841
Crucifix II (1962)
Bert Stern
Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch
$2,968
Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine
Horst Antes
Print - 34 x 26 x 0.05 cm Print - 13.4 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$417
Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine
Horst Antes
Print - 34 x 26 x 0.05 cm Print - 13.4 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$417
Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine
Horst Antes
Print - 34 x 26 x 0.05 cm Print - 13.4 x 10.2 x 0 inch
$417
The White Queen
Paul Wagner
Photography - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$715 $644
Marilyn. Jeweled Toga
Bert Stern
Photography - 45 x 31 x 1 cm Photography - 17.7 x 12.2 x 0.4 inch
$5,841
Marilyn Monroe (1962) Orgasm
Bert Stern
Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$5,841
Untitled 217
Tarek Butayhi
Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 35 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 13.8 inch
$1,000
Étude Buste 20
Sandrine Verdier
Sculpture - 31 x 23 x 15 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 9.1 x 5.9 inch
$1,067 $1,014
Lazy Sunday Afternoon
Dasha & Mari
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography - 16 x 20 inch
$954 $769
