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

1/22 1 2 3 10 20 22

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Painter Can

Small Lie Brown

Desire of Secret Needs

The Agony and Ecstasy

Equanimity_2022 20

Something to lick mini #029

Just Coco - Butterflies

Takashi Murakami × ComplexCon Mr.DOB Figure by Bait × Switch Collectibles (Gold Edition)

Bender

Mondrian 3D - NrC5

A Lovely Serenade Of Summer

Together

Fragile

Plant Life

Pop Art Communication x Haring x 24/7 (yellow)

Gold digger

Paris Kapitale MissTic Paella

Bleu Butterfly

Molot'Lov Man Street Ed

L'uppercut de l'amour

Rock your mind

Bleu pétrole

Love Grenade LV

Sans titre

Pin up girl and jack pot 03

School Desk

Roboïde Bart Simpson

Love bottle 3d wild

Bleed 5 (Stranger Things Eleven)

Pull

Plato O plomo

Cool

Hommage à Murakami

Skywalker

Pupa Woman (Plate)

About Happiness

Ice cream richie

Face Time

Joker

Uma

The Doodler 2

The Pop Vibe Of Fashion I

Jade UberKranky

Obscur

Bonheur Éphémère

Jumbo

Artist's Soul Flowers Keith Haring

The Pfizer Effect

Le Bonheur c’est Nous

Pyramid (hand signed three dimensional screen print)

Kebichu - Kebichu

FUCHsy Red

Benjamin Franklin LV Violet and Tiffany Blue

Small Puffy Candy

N°69 - 911 Almeras

Dessine moi un serpent

Mario Wonderland

Crazy Yellow Monkey

Motion Alone

Testicles

Riskoleum

Les Belles Canapéennes 9

Printemps

See my potato sack (Marilyn)

Hommage à Keith Haring

Stretch Bird Plea