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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Photography, Queen Reflected, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€1,975

Sculpture, Música y cava, Paco Corell

Paco Corell

Sculpture . 33 x 11 x 7 cm Sculpture . 13 x 4.3 x 2.8 inch

€520

Sculpture, Le violon, Terzo Yan

Terzo Yan

Sculpture . 35 x 12 x 5 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 4.7 x 2 inch

€999 €900

Painting, Free Jazz, Moise Cohen

Moise Cohen

Painting . 49 x 38 x 1 cm Painting . 19.3 x 15 x 0.4 inch

€890

Sculpture, Compact Bob Marley, Gameon

Gameon

Sculpture . 33 x 33 x 4 cm Sculpture . 13 x 13 x 1.6 inch

€1,100

Sculpture, Music is Art, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 30 x 14 x 6 cm Sculpture . 11.8 x 5.5 x 2.4 inch

€250

Sculpture, Music is art, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 30 x 14 x 6 cm Sculpture . 11.8 x 5.5 x 2.4 inch

€250

Sculpture, Echoes of Joy, Lanre Studio

Lanre Studio

Sculpture . 47 x 30.5 x 4 cm Sculpture . 18.5 x 12 x 1.6 inch

€660

Painting, La haut, Oak Oak

Oak Oak

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Futurama, Oak Oak

Oak Oak

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€150

Print, Jimi Hendrix, Ysy

Ysy

Print . 40 x 40 x 1 cm Print . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€380

Painting, Daft Punk, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Painting, Blue field, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.9 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.75 inch

€273

Sculpture, Cream, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Sculpture . 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Sculpture . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€273

Sculpture, And Lightning, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Sculpture . 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Sculpture . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€273

Sculpture, Smoke, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Sculpture . 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Sculpture . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€273

Painting, Le printemps, Oak Oak

Oak Oak

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, King van Beethoven, Spaco

Spaco

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

€200

Sculpture, Sputnik, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Sculpture . 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Sculpture . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€273

Painting, Jackson, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Print, L'acordéoniste, Gen Paul

Gen Paul

Print . 36.6 x 27.8 x 0.1 cm Print . 14.4 x 10.9 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, For Me, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.9 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.75 inch

€273

Painting, Thermal Break, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 2.2 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.875 inch

€273

Painting, Dévastation, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.9 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.75 inch

€273

Painting, Contagious, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 36.8 x 20.6 x 4.4 cm Painting . 14.5 x 8.125 x 1.75 inch

€273

Painting, Touch IV, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 2 inch

€273

Painting, Subhuman, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 1 inch

€273

Painting, Patrick, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.9 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.75 inch

€273

Painting, La sirène, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€549 €522

Painting, La Lyre, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€549 €522

Photography, Jazz Scooter, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 41 x 41 cm Photography . 16.1 x 16.1 inch

€2,550