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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Painting, Hydrangea, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 50 x 30 x 1.8 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 0.7 inch

€914

Painting, Dahlia Flowers, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1.8 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

€869

Painting, Roztocze, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

Painting . 30 x 40 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 inch

€1,500

Painting, Les braves, Milcheva Emilia

Milcheva Emilia

Painting . 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€500

Painting, Lilac Blossoms, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 45 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 17.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,006

Painting, Nature morte, Georges Darel

Georges Darel

Painting . 38.5 x 25.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.2 x 10 x 0.2 inch

€1,016

Painting, Red Bloom, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Painting . 40 x 35.5 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 14 x 0.8 inch

€600

Painting, Wildflowers, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 40 x 35 x 1.8 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13.8 x 0.7 inch

€823

Painting, Peonies, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

Painting . 30 x 40 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 inch

€1,500

Painting, Fiery Rose, Max Skoblinsky

Max Skoblinsky

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€700

Painting, Sunflowers, Nelli Tsenova

Nelli Tsenova

Painting . 34 x 17 x 2 cm Painting . 13.4 x 6.7 x 0.8 inch

€580

Painting, Sunflower, Elijah Olanase

Elijah Olanase

Painting . 35.6 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 14 x 14 x 1 inch

€411

Painting, Dandelion, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 40 x 50 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€731

Painting, Le sécateur, Sandra Paris

Sandra Paris

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€350 €315

Painting, If I were Belle, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€521

Painting, Merci Mario, Géraldine G.

Géraldine G.

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Fleur 3, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

Painting . 40 x 28 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€750

Painting, Still Life, Vasily Korkishko

Vasily Korkishko

Painting . 50 x 39.5 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,470

Painting, Sola 1, Sola Puig

Sola Puig

Painting . 27 x 22 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 8.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Window, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 48 x 48 x 2 cm Painting . 18.9 x 18.9 x 0.8 inch

€2,200

Painting, Narcissus, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 40 x 43 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

€1,800

Painting, Porcelain, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,800

Painting, Rose Symphony, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

Painting . 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€274 €219

Painting, Spring lilac, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

Painting . 30 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€329

Painting, Flowers, Stanislav Bojankov

Stanislav Bojankov

Painting . 47 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting . 18.5 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€400

Painting, Magnolia, Helen Shukina

Helen Shukina

Painting . 35 x 25 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch

€366