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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

24/100 1 10 20 22 23 24 25 26 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Dibujos de estudio 7

Dibujos de estudio 5

Souvenirs inoubliables 22

Souvenirs inoubliables 21

Souvenirs inoubliables 20

Souvenirs inoubliables 19

Souvenirs inoubliables 18

Souvenirs inoubliables 17

Souvenirs inoubliables 16

Souvenirs inoubliables 15

Souvenirs inoubliables 14

Mask

Jour de fête III (1)

Ready To Serve

Swaying to the Music

Signals

Habiter demain, Rose #002

Al Capone

Dinner and a Movie

Al bar

Mashroom

Red Bear

Thiz Face

Flipped

Coffee Time

Blue WU Owl

Aquarelle graphique 6

Vogue #4

Vogue Paris

Vogue #2

Vogue #1

Vogue #3

Sweet Dreams

Girl with a Lamb

Dos du monde

Au bout du golf

Dance with the City

Secret Mask no.II

Bouddha du verbe, assis en lotus

La Princesse Lointaine: Porteurs d' Eventails

The Empress and The High Priest, Diptych

The Sun and The Moon, Diptych

The Hanged Man and The Hermit, Diptych

The Fool and The Wizard, Diptych

Self Portrait

Les petits gestes 2

Campagne I

David James Gandy, Portrait. Photograph intervened by the artists.

Entrando nel parco di notte

Luce e ombra vicino casa

Amy Winehouse

Lanterns of Memory

De Justesse

Wrapping Bonbon Rouge

Le chêne à trois troncs n°20

Un air de Barbara

Cosmic Flyer

Moses Sculpture

Eagle Design Sculpture

The Black David Meshup

Dwarf Garden Sculpture

Chaise III

Gravity

Waterfall in the Mysterious Mountain

Snail / l'escargot

Sixty (Motocyclist)