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…
Save your search and find it in your favorites
Save your search to find it quickly
Saved search
Your search is accessible from the favorites tab > My favorite searches
Unsaved search
A problem occurred
Le sud de mes envies
Sophie Petetin
Painting - 47 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting - 18.5 x 15.7 x 1 inch
$942
Camp Californien
Michel Tabanou
Painting - 26 x 32.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 10.25 x 12.8 x 0.1 inch
$954
Le bois du Hénan
Frédéric Cadiou
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$596 $507
Le bois du Hénan
Frédéric Cadiou
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$596 $507
Avenue du Cap Coz
Frédéric Cadiou
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$596
Two Landscapes19
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
$596
Two Landscapes18
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
$596
Two Landscapes15
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
$596
Two Landscapes13
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch
$596
A house in the woods. Cherry blossom - landscape of the Volsky? Lily?
Lilya Volskaya
Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch
$954
Intermezzo 4.
Bernadette Van Baarsen
Painting - 20 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting - 7.9 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch
$954
Le jardin des lépidoptères
Cyril Destrade
Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 27 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 10.6 inch
$1,490
Turbulence in Kyoto 5086
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 30.9 x 46.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 18.2 x 0 inch
$954
Turbulence in Kyoto 4767
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 30.9 x 46.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 18.2 x 0 inch
$954
Turbulence in Kyoto 546
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 30.9 x 46.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 18.2 x 0 inch
$954
Turbulence in Kyoto 3115
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 30.9 x 46.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 18.2 x 0 inch
$954
Turbulence in Kyoto 3067
Yasuo Kiyonaga
Photography - 30.9 x 46.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 12.2 x 18.2 x 0 inch
$954
Quiet waters in a darkwood
Pol Ledent
Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$656
Summer in my countryside
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$596
Brushstrokes of a Golden Noon in Provence
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$596
Crimson Whispers at Sunset
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$596
Summer in my countryside
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$596
Plage du grand Sperone - Encre indigo
Frédéric Cadiou
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$560
Winter bustle in the yard
Boris Serdyuk
Painting - 21.4 x 30.5 x 2 cm Painting - 8.4 x 12 x 0.8 inch
$381
Spring in my countryside 4525
Pol Ledent
Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
$596
Apple trees in early winter
Pol Ledent
Painting - 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$656
Lanscape with metaphysical performance of the shadows from the past
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16 x 20 x 0.13 inch
$1,100
La campagne en fleur
Lucia Buccini
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$1,431
La douceur des vagues
Isabelle Marie
Painting - 50 x 40 x 0.01 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch
$715