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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MV. 24-3 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant
Gilles Le Tron
Fine Art Drawings - 26 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.2 x 7.9 x 0 inch
$205
Palme de la Victoire
Pierre Le Faguays
Sculpture - 42 x 11 x 12 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 4.3 x 4.7 inch
$4,095
Violet Moon
Jose Luis De la Barra Bellido
Fine Art Drawings - 40.6 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16 x 12 x 1 inch
$300
Amuleto- B&W Photograph Portrait of the artist Framed
Marta María Pérez Bravo
Photography - 48.9 x 38.7 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.25 x 15.25 x 0.1 inch
$3,000
Numbness
Pompilio Gianluca
Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 20 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch
$328
The Dancer
Maurice Van Moppes
Fine Art Drawings - 26.5 x 18.5 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.4 x 7.3 x 0.2 inch
$351
Potser sí
Alexandra Sans Massó
Fine Art Drawings - 39.5 x 29.7 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.6 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch
$351
Mia Villiers-Farrow on a bed
Diane Arbus
Photography - 35.56 x 35.56 cm Photography - 14 x 14 inch
$19,305
Elena Mar odalisca en mi patio
Alberto García-Alix
Photography - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$17,550
Liberation
Tatjana Rusakova
Fine Art Drawings - 28 x 28 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11 x 11 x 0 inch
$94
The Music Flies
Igor Tcholaria
Sculpture - 39.5 x 16 x 16 cm Sculpture - 15.6 x 6.3 x 6.3 inch
$11,700
Venir la voir, voir l’avenir, la voir venir
Petites Luxures
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 inch
$1,053
Respire
Mariela Garibay
Sculpture - 50 x 30 x 17 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 11.8 x 6.7 inch
Price upon request
Samburu
Valerie Ducret
Sculpture - 40 x 20 x 19 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.9 x 7.5 inch
Price upon request
Fille avec un ballon en forme de chien
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 34 x 22 x 6 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 8.7 x 2.4 inch
$1,147
Essence de jeunesse masculine 22
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 38.5 x 14 x 11.5 cm Sculpture - 15.2 x 5.5 x 4.5 inch
$1,334
Douce innocence Bronze
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 40 x 18 x 10 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.1 x 3.9 inch
$1,147
Essence de jeunesse
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 40 x 12 x 12 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 4.7 x 4.7 inch
$1,334
Calme et petite silence
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 31 x 7 x 10 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 2.8 x 3.9 inch
$807
Calme et le silence Fonte du Bronze 44
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 44 x 11.5 x 10 cm Sculpture - 17.3 x 4.5 x 3.9 inch
$1,732
Leaving The World Behind (Papyrus)
tizlu
Fine Art Drawings - 34 x 25 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.4 x 9.8 x 0 inch
$1,030
Édition Un tramway nommé Désir 50 Blue
Miguel Guía
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.3 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
$819
Édition Éternelle Audrey 50 RED
Miguel Guía
Print - 50 x 50 x 0.3 cm Print - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
$819
Menina Air et Métal Nickel Rouge
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 40 x 21 x 37 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 8.3 x 14.6 inch
$1,849
Hercule de Farnèse pixélisé patine en oxyde vert
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 43 x 15 x 11 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 5.9 x 4.3 inch
$1,708
Un instant de réalité
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 47 x 11.5 x 10 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 4.5 x 3.9 inch
$1,310
En attendant le prochain voyage
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 47 x 11.5 x 10 cm Sculpture - 18.5 x 4.5 x 3.9 inch
$1,310
Nous sommes la littérature bronze
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 39.5 x 11.5 x 10 cm Sculpture - 15.6 x 4.5 x 3.9 inch
$1,486
Femme feuille
Salfo Dermé (Yabré)
Sculpture - 30 x 17 x 11 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 6.7 x 4.3 inch
$1,404
Portrait of a girl with yellow patches
Galya Popova
Painting - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$936
Fille en ballon dollar
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 32 x 18 x 6 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 7.1 x 2.4 inch
$1,147
Model in Margiela
Manuel Santelices
Painting - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
$700
Menina Air et Métal Nickel Bleu
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 40 x 21 x 37 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 8.3 x 14.6 inch
$1,849
L'avenir est technologique
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 40 x 14 x 10 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 5.5 x 3.9 inch
$1,544
Le pouvoir d’un câlin
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 35 x 12 x 12 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 4.7 x 4.7 inch
$1,100
Reflexion Bleu bronze
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 33 x 14 x 17 cm Sculpture - 13 x 5.5 x 6.7 inch
$1,100
Nous sommes une énigme feu rouge
Miguel Guía
Sculpture - 28 x 11 x 7.5 cm Sculpture - 11 x 4.3 x 3 inch
$1,486