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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Homage to Louis (White)
Ad Van Hassel
Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch
$263
Edward aux mains d’argent
Tim Burton
Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Mer intérieure
Danielle Le Bricquir
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Small cloned Penguin with water bottle
William Sweetlove
Sculpture - 40 x 18 x 19 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.1 x 7.5 inch
Sold
Petite balade sur la lagune
Danielle Le Bricquir
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
The arrested
Desmond Morris
Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
Sold
In Neptune’s Garden 2
Olivia Alexander
Painting - 45 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch
Sold
In Neptune’s Garden 1
Olivia Alexander
Painting - 45 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch
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Oncle Fétide
Tim Burton
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
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Le petit Price et le renard
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Print - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Print - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Le petit Prince sur sa planète
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Print - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Mister Jack
Tim Burton
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Marilyn Monroe. Malibu. (1962)
George Barris
Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
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Marilyn Monroe. Plage de Malibu (1962)
George Barris
Photography - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
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Marilyn Malibu Beach (1962)
George Barris
Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
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Marilyn Monroe. Au Bar (1964)
George Barris
Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
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Portrait (adolescence)
Agnès Bouche
Painting - 30 x 40 x 8 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 3.1 inch
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Femmes et enfant au manège
Jean-Jacques Kugel
Painting - 46 x 39 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15.4 x 0.8 inch
Sold
Les Rapetou
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Fine Art Drawings - 48 x 34 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 18.9 x 13.4 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Chevaliers du Zodiaque
Toei Animation
Fine Art Drawings - 23 x 26 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.1 x 10.2 x 0.4 inch
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"Olive et Tom" Danny Melow
Toei Animation
Fine Art Drawings - 24 x 27 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.4 x 10.6 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Parfum de magie
Jeannette Guichard-Bunel
Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
Sold
The Aggrieved
Desmond Morris
Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
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Madonne aux anges
Hélène Donadieu
Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
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Renaissance
Hélène Donadieu
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
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Toro minoico ceramique
Palolo Valdes
Sculpture - 20 x 44 x 25 cm Sculpture - 7.9 x 17.3 x 9.8 inch
Sold
