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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Nostalgic Sunflower
Karin Mikulášová
Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
$775
Complexities of Existence
Michael Alan
Fine Art Drawings - 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11 x 8.5 x 0.04 inch
$2,503
Geyser
Michael Alan
Fine Art Drawings - 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11 x 8.5 x 0.04 inch
$2,265
Painting Through Fear
Michael Alan
Fine Art Drawings - 27.3 x 22.2 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.75 x 8.75 x 0.04 inch
$2,265
La Forteresse en Gris
Josette Dubost
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch
$477
La petite danse des papillons édition
Sophie Petetin
Print - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Print - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$166
Dancing in the Rain VI
Kajazun (Kajo) Avetisyan
Painting - 49 x 35 cm Painting - 19.3 x 13.8 inch
$453
Dancing in the Rain V
Kajazun (Kajo) Avetisyan
Painting - 46 x 35 cm Painting - 18.1 x 13.8 inch
$453
Dancing in the Rain IV
Kajazun (Kajo) Avetisyan
Painting - 47 x 37 cm Painting - 18.5 x 14.6 inch
$453
Dancing in the Rain III
Kajazun (Kajo) Avetisyan
Painting - 48 x 36 cm Painting - 18.9 x 14.2 inch
$453
Comme un oiseau sur sa branche
Arnaud Dromigny
Painting - 42 x 29.7 x 2 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.8 inch
$548
Dancing in the Rain II
Kajazun (Kajo) Avetisyan
Painting - 47 x 36 cm Painting - 18.5 x 14.2 inch
$453
Umbrella Man
Peter Max
Fine Art Drawings - 30.5 x 34.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12 x 13.75 x 0.1 inch
$3,375
On the Way to the Village
Alexander Shandor
Painting - 30 x 49 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 19.3 x 0.1 inch
$600
Visions of Sedona. The Bell Rock faces
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 15.2 x 30.5 x 0.6 cm Painting - 6 x 12 x 0.25 inch
$200
French School - Portrait PS 173 La Princesse Nordestina
Bazévian Delacapucinière
Painting - 40 x 40 x 3.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.4 inch
$739
ADN 400- I, On Canvas
Alec Franco
Painting - 42 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$1,000
The Stained Glass Forest 20250414
Dake Wang Qi
Painting - 33.3 x 33.3 x 3.3 cm Painting - 13.1 x 13.1 x 1.3 inch
$536
Red Forest: When the Tiktok Refugees Paid the Cat Tax
Dake Wang Qi
Painting - 33.3 x 33.3 x 3.3 cm Painting - 13.1 x 13.1 x 1.3 inch
$536
Scarlet Dance 20250219
Dake Wang Qi
Painting - 33.3 x 33.3 x 3.3 cm Painting - 13.1 x 13.1 x 1.3 inch
$536
Guardians of Ararat Field
Samvel Atasunts
Painting - 24 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$270
Crazy pop (trib. to Haring)
Dr. Love
Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$143
Momento mori (artist's proof)
Dr. Love
Painting - 30 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$114
Bang (a tribute to K. Haring)
Dr. Love
Painting - 30 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch
$107
In the Arms of Memory
Sargis Zaqaryan
Painting - 50 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
$350