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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Stormtrooper (real street paper N°2
JP Malot
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
$298
Paul Auster in Brooklyn
Tarek X Mat Elbé
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$476
One dollar "One way" blue maldives
Karl Lagasse
Sculpture - 16.5 x 38 x 0.2 cm Sculpture - 6.5 x 15 x 0.1 inch
$2,738
Sans titre
Jean-Michel Lourenço
Painting - 50 x 39.5 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.6 x 0.6 inch
$536
Si il suo amore e per Sempre
Karl Lagasse
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$23,810
The right of passage
Paul J Bucknall
Photography - 45.7 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Photography - 18 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$558
Le monde de l'artiste
Âme Sauvage
Painting - 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch
Sold
Mario, what the fuck!
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
Sold
Green Power
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 43.2 x 32.4 x 1 cm Painting - 17 x 12.8 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Untitled - Felix the Cat Charity Print - Brooklyn Museum Variant
Kaws
Print - 31.8 x 21.6 x 1 cm Print - 12.5 x 8.5 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Mur de Berlin - 1 - Remember
Dam Domido
Sculpture - 29 x 12 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11.4 x 4.7 x 3.5 inch
Sold
Mickey likes Vodka a lot
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
Sold
West Pylon
Jean-Jacques Mancardi
Sculpture - 48 x 32 x 17 cm Sculpture - 18.9 x 12.6 x 6.7 inch
Sold
Wild kong crackled red
Richard Orlinski
Sculpture - 30 x 24 x 11 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.4 x 4.3 inch
Sold
Everybody Needs Silver & Gold !
Papa Mesk
Painting - 34 x 34 x 1 cm Painting - 13.4 x 13.4 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Untitled (From the Valley Series)
Keith Haring
Print - 35.6 x 30.5 x 2.54 cm Print - 14 x 12 x 1 inch
Sold
