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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Super Mario Bros, Chanel Gang
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
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Super Mario Bros, Gucci Gang
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
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Mario, what the fuck!
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch
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Wild Kong, bleu Mauritius
Richard Orlinski
Sculpture - 30 x 23 x 12 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.1 x 4.7 inch
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Wonder Wommen et l'Homme Blanc
Jérôme Mesnager
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.02 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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Le petit artiste - Snoopy
Âme Sauvage
Painting - 35 x 35 x 2.2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.9 inch
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We are the Square Jocular Clan (5)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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Homme Blanc face a Warhol
Jérôme Mesnager
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.02 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
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A Lovely Magnolia Blossom
Yasna Godovanik
Sculpture - 48 x 48 x 11 cm Sculpture - 18.9 x 18.9 x 4.3 inch
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We are the Square Jocular Clan (3)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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We are the Square Jocular Clan (6)
Takashi Murakami
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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A Little Cloud Of Spring
Yasna Godovanik
Sculpture - 50 x 50 x 12 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 19.7 x 4.7 inch
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Something to lick mini #026
Hersk
Sculpture - 41 x 13 x 13 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 inch
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Super Mario Bros, cool
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
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Holiday UK Ceramic Container Black
Kaws
Design - 41.9 x 12.7 x 8 cm Design - 16.5 x 5 x 3.1 inch
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Peace Fingers (Gold)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Sculpture - 30.5 x 12 x 2.5 cm Sculpture - 12 x 4.7 x 1 inch
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Le dormeur du val
Jean-Philippe Berger
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
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Chanel n°5 bottle, Mickey and Minnie, pop
Patrick Cornée
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
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Luxury Chanel n°5, Marilyn Monroe
Patrick Cornée
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
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Luxury Chanel n°5, Lagerfeld pink
Patrick Cornée
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
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Luxury Chanel n°5, on the beach
Patrick Cornée
Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch
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Brigitte Bardot, vogue, purple and gold version
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
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Mr. Dob (Gold edition)
Takashi Murakami
Sculpture - 23.5 x 27.3 x 27.3 cm Sculpture - 9.3 x 10.7 x 10.7 inch
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Snoopy : pensée du coeur
Âme Sauvage
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
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Le petit chien lumineux - Snoopy
Âme Sauvage
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
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La panthère rose, enjoy
Âme Sauvage
Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
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Mirror Love on Black
Nataliia Krykun
Painting - 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch
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Snoopy, Rosé all day
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
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Luffy au chapeau de paille
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
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Betty Boop, Monaco life, Time
Patrick Cornée
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
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Snoopy - Basquiat Style - serie 2
Peppone
Sculpture - 50 x 26 x 30 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 10.2 x 11.8 inch
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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
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