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, Surf, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 18.5 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€2,800

Painting, Odessa beach, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€2,730

Painting, White sea, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

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

€3,000

Painting, Rocky shores, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

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

€3,200

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 18 x 26 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.1 x 10.2 x 0 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, Île de l'Aber, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 19 x 27 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.5 x 10.6 x 0 inch

€580

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 26 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.2 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€580

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 26 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.2 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€580

Painting, Submergence, Uliana Sal

Uliana Sal

Painting . 20 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€366

Photography, Life Buoy, Mirei

Mirei

Photography . 20 x 27 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.6 inch

€350

Painting, Sea walk, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, Sea No4, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Painting . 24 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€265

Painting, Emergence, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 26 x 26 x 4 cm Painting . 10.2 x 10.2 x 1.6 inch

€400

Sculpture, Surfeur, Gaël Rouxeville

Gaël Rouxeville

Sculpture . 47 x 45 x 21 cm Sculpture . 18.5 x 17.7 x 8.3 inch

€5,750

Painting, Gumbet. harbor, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,291

Painting, Evening rest, Vik Schroeder

Vik Schroeder

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

€2,500

Painting, Nice evening, Vik Schroeder

Vik Schroeder

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

€2,500

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€750

Painting, Abysse, Thomas Jeunet

Thomas Jeunet

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

€190

Painting, Boats, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 30 x 42 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch

€250

Painting, Greece, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

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

€310

Painting, Coast, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 37 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 14.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€300

Painting, Sunset No5, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Painting . 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€265

Painting, Regatta, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

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

€366

Painting, Sea voyage, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 29 x 35.5 x 2 cm Painting . 11.4 x 14 x 0.8 inch

€5,499

Painting, Stones, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 21 x 32 x 2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch

€3,500