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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Walking Detroit, the Sixties
John Migicovsky
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.5 inch
$1,150
Man Playing Croquet
John Migicovsky
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 1.3 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 0.5 inch
$1,150
Man Standing in Front of House
Ken Heyman
Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Woman Holding Child on Beach
Ken Heyman
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Washington Square Park
Ken Heyman
Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Superman Parade
Ken Heyman
Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Children in Boat
Ken Heyman
Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Woman Holding out Hand
Ken Heyman
Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Kids with Cows
Ken Heyman
Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Serge visant au F2 Nikon, derniers tirages !
Pierre Terrasson
Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$2,980
Dark Horse
Amrita Bilimoria
Photography - 43.2 x 43.7 x 5.1 cm Photography - 17 x 17.2 x 2 inch
$1,200
James Rosenquist in Studio, 1964
Ken Heyman
Photography - 29.2 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11.5 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Claes Oldenburg, 1964
Ken Heyman
Photography - 29.2 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11.5 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Andy Warhol with 16mm Film Projector, 1964
Ken Heyman
Photography - 29.2 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11.5 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
James Rosenquist in Studio 2, 1964
Ken Heyman
Photography - 35.6 x 29.2 x 1.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11.5 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Andy Warhol with Portraits, 1964
Ken Heyman
Photography - 29.2 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11.5 x 14 x 0.5 inch
$4,800
Notre-Dame de Paris
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 18 x 30 x 0.2 cm Photography - 7.1 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$930
Les ponts de la Seine
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 31 x 18.5 cm Photography - 12.2 x 7.3 inch
$930
Tulipes en black and white
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 20 x 30 x 0.2 cm Photography - 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$930
Bouquet blanc
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 21 x 33 x 0.2 cm Photography - 8.3 x 13 x 0.1 inch
$930
Becs de Perroquets
Anne-Marie Toporkoff
Photography - 36.9 x 24.6 x 0.2 cm Photography - 14.5 x 9.7 x 0.1 inch
$894
Carmen, NY
Horst P. Horst
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$12,000
Lisa with Turban, NY
Horst P. Horst
Photography - 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch
$12,000
Tournoi de lutte
Matthieu Chazal
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$715
Le long de ma mer noire
Matthieu Chazal
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$715
Jour d’été sur les quais, 2019-2022
Irène Jonas
Photography - 18 x 27 cm Photography - 7.1 x 10.6 inch
$596
Libraires sur Seine, 2019-2022
Irène Jonas
Photography - 18 x 27 cm Photography - 7.1 x 10.6 inch
$596
Elisa, Civitella Alfedena
Marco Bulgarelli
Photography - 28 x 20 cm Photography - 11 x 7.9 inch
$477
Robert Smith - The Cure - The Top Wet in London - Derniers tirages
Pierre Terrasson
Photography - 40 x 50 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 inch
$2,980
Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, 1978
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Martin Scorsese - 2006
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
Members of the Buzzcocks, Danny Farrant, Chris Remington, Steve D - Boston, 1980 (II)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Member of Human League, Philip Oake - Boston, MA 1980 (II)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior (II)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (IV)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
Lou Reed - Boston, MA 1980
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Punk Club - Boston, MA
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Musician Elvis Costello performs live
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (III)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Brian Tristan - Cramps guitarist Kid Congo Powers
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
The Cramps Lead singer Lux Interior (III)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
Member of Human League, Susan Sulley - Boston, MA
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Member of Human League, Susan Sulley - Boston, MA 1980 (II)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Member of Philip Oakey - Boston, MA 1980 (III)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior
Michael Grecco
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$3,000
Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (II)
Michael Grecco
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$3,000
Tina Turner, Los Angeles
Glen Craig
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$1,500
Tina Turner Smiling with Ikettes, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, November 23
Glen Craig
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$1,500
BB King Kodalith Performance - Close up, LA Forum
Glen Craig
Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 2 inch
$1,750
Iggy Pop, Ann Arbor, MI, 1968
Glen Craig
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$1,500
Tina Turner, Los Angeles, CA
Glen Craig
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$1,500
Miles Davis, Fillmore East, NYC, June 17, 1970 III
Glen Craig
Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography - 16 x 20 x 2 inch
$1,500
Pêcheur de Loire
Dominique Jullien
Photography - 13 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 5.1 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$358
Fantastique noir et blanc n°18
François Lork
Print - 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Print - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
$322
Fantastique noir et blanc n°1
François Lork
Print - 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Print - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
$322
Fantastique noir et blanc n°9
François Lork
Print - 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Print - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch
$322
Bashung / Rio Grande
Pierre Terrasson
Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$1,669
