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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Mr Hope dans un monde heureux
MrHope
Painting - 30 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Allegory of Timeless Beauty
Grégoire Devin
Sculpture - 43.7 x 18.5 x 18.5 cm Sculpture - 17.2 x 7.3 x 7.3 inch
Sold
Fake daft punk
Les Artistes Anonymes
Painting - 47 x 47 x 4 cm Painting - 18.5 x 18.5 x 1.6 inch
Sold
Nani Captain America
Lucie Poureau
Sculpture - 50 x 23 x 16 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 9.1 x 6.3 inch
Sold
Stormtrooper (real street paper N°3)
JP Malot
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Black book drawing
Ghost (aka Cousin Frank)
Fine Art Drawings - 20 x 40 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.9 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch
Sold
Visage #1
Odin Pigelet
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.4 x 0 inch
Sold
Faire d'un mot le bel amant d'une phrase
Miss.Tic
Print - 50 x 40 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 inch
$2,202
Pop Mario X Chupa Chups
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$310
Pop Tintin X Chanel
Priscilla Vettese
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$310
Train love
Lassana Sarr
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
Sold
Shoot The Bank Tableau 2023
JP Malot
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$1,905
Shoot the bank Tableau 2023
JP Malot
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$1,905
Bitcoin X Shoot the bank
JP Malot
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
$2,381
Bows wild style
Bows
Fine Art Drawings - 21 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.3 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch
$476