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…

Read more
Painting, Lilies, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 38.1 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€205

Painting, Tulips, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 38.1 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€205

Painting, Lotus, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€205

Fine Art Drawings, Living Color, Michael Alan

Michael Alan

Fine Art Drawings . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11 x 14 x 0.04 inch

€2,500

Sculpture, Coke! Brut 2020, JP Malot

JP Malot

Sculpture . 28 x 28 x 2 cm Sculpture . 11 x 11 x 0.8 inch

€700

Print, Blue Mask Melt, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€129

Painting, Walking, Saba Dolikashvili

Saba Dolikashvili

Painting . 31 x 22 x 1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 8.7 x 0.4 inch

€650

Painting, Return, Saba Dolikashvili

Saba Dolikashvili

Painting . 34 x 24 x 1 cm Painting . 13.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

€550

Fine Art Drawings, Content, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Fine Art Drawings . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€445

Fine Art Drawings, Kiss, Nina Narimanishvili

Nina Narimanishvili

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€950

Painting, Jane, Sandra Detourbet

Sandra Detourbet

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€700

Fine Art Drawings, George, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€267

Painting, Untitled, Ulrike Michaelis

Ulrike Michaelis

Painting . 29.4 x 20.6 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.6 x 8.1 x 0 inch

€1,000

Painting, Best wishes, Shiori Nakano

Shiori Nakano

Painting . 23 x 30.5 x 0.2 cm Painting . 9.1 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€300

Painting, Casasco Street, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Painting . 40 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

€170

Fine Art Drawings, Fifties 15, LN Le Cheviller

LN Le Cheviller

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 35 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€260

Print, More (good) wine, Ewen Gur

Ewen Gur

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.3 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch

€380

Painting, Marine, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.01 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, The waiting, Zied Lasram

Zied Lasram

Painting . 33 x 42 x 0.1 cm Painting . 13 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€360

Fine Art Drawings, L'épreuve, Notseig

Notseig

Fine Art Drawings . 25.05 x 35 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.9 x 13.8 x 0.2 inch

€900

Painting, Untitle 63, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Painting . 22 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 8.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€90

Painting, REF 30-19  - Carnaval, Jeanne

Jeanne

Painting . 41 x 33 x 1.5 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.6 inch

€450

Print, La zone, Jules Pascin

Jules Pascin

Print . 19 x 28 x 0.01 cm Print . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

€200

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled (49), Mansour El Habre

Mansour El Habre

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 42 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch

€1,900

20/30