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, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 41 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Saison IV, Michel Marant

Michel Marant

Painting . 33 x 31 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 12.2 x 0.4 inch

€450

Painting, Ozhiko, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Painting . 22 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,800

Fine Art Drawings, A Summer Night, Alejandro Moretti

Alejandro Moretti

Fine Art Drawings . 22.5 x 29 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.9 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€180 €162

Fine Art Drawings, Passion 8, Akira Inumaru

Akira Inumaru

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 40 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

€1,200

Painting, Sea foam, A. Strelov

A. Strelov

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€949

Painting, Spring, Ketevan Kacharava

Ketevan Kacharava

Painting . 40 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,000

Painting, Untamed, Lori Bagnérès

Lori Bagnérès

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3.8 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.5 inch

€2,360

Painting, Night portal, Lark Pilinsky

Lark Pilinsky

Painting . 40 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,500

Fine Art Drawings, Looking at Each Other, Becky Lam

Becky Lam

Fine Art Drawings . 15.5 x 43 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 6.1 x 16.9 x 0.1 inch

€1,300

Painting, Paysage pur, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

Painting . 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€85

Painting, Carpe Diem, Galia Chuntova

Galia Chuntova

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

€1,450

Painting, Landscape 136, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€800

Painting, La senda, Carmeli Polo

Carmeli Polo

Painting . 32 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€560

Painting, Malaga, Sophie Hors

Sophie Hors

Painting . 46 x 38 x 3 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Untitled 2, Francine Ledieu

Francine Ledieu

Painting . 23.5 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.3 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,300

Painting, Oxford, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 24 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€2,800

Painting, Flowery field, Felicia Trales

Felicia Trales

Painting . 34.8 x 34.8 x 3.8 cm Painting . 13.7 x 13.7 x 1.5 inch

€1,646

Fine Art Drawings, L'Automne, Aline Khieu

Aline Khieu

Fine Art Drawings . 29.8 x 41.8 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€500

Painting, Paysages 146, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, Dunajec, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

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

€1,100

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