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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, Her no. 28, Haydee Torres

Her no. 28

Haydee Torres

Painting - 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting - 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

Sold

Painting, Exprimo, Jérôme Guillet

Exprimo

Jérôme Guillet

Painting - 40 x 20 x 2.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 7.9 x 1 inch

Sold

Fine Art Drawings, Femmes 4, Arancha Tejedor

Femmes 4

Arancha Tejedor

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Painting, Lilies, Irena Tone

Lilies

Irena Tone

Painting - 28 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11 x 8.3 x 0 inch

Sold

Fine Art Drawings, Lonely, Leonardo Aliaga

Lonely

Leonardo Aliaga

Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 25 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 9.8 inch

Sold

Painting, Befreiung, Nina Lanner

Befreiung

Nina Lanner

Painting - 37 x 28 x 0.5 cm Painting - 14.6 x 11 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Painting, Narcissus, Irena Tone

Narcissus

Irena Tone

Painting - 28 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11 x 8.3 x 0 inch

Sold

Painting, Tulips, Irena Tone

Tulips

Irena Tone

Painting - 29 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

Sold

Sculpture, Nanas, Mariana Costa

Nanas

Mariana Costa

Sculpture - 38 x 13 x 19 cm Sculpture - 15 x 5.1 x 7.5 inch

Sold

Sculpture, Muse 11-24, Philippe Buil

Muse 11-24

Philippe Buil

Sculpture - 30 x 8 x 8 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 3.1 x 3.1 inch

Sold

Painting, Village du Sud, Xiu

Village du Sud

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

£528

Painting, Paysage chinois 11, Xiu

Paysage chinois 11

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

£528 £475

Painting, Paysage chinois, Xiu

Paysage chinois

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

£528

Painting, Subway, cObo

Subway

cObo

Painting - 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

£704

Sculpture, Gale Grace, Karen Akhikyan

Gale Grace

Karen Akhikyan

Sculpture - 43 x 21 x 10 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 8.3 x 3.9 inch

£1,692

Painting, Piano, David Jamin

Piano

David Jamin

Painting - 33 x 41 x 2.5 cm Painting - 13 x 16.1 x 1 inch

£792

Painting, A vif, Jazzu

A vif

Jazzu

Painting - 45 x 25 x 3 cm Painting - 17.7 x 9.8 x 1.2 inch

£924

Fine Art Drawings, La vie est belle, Tarek

La vie est belle

Tarek

Fine Art Drawings - 37.5 x 23.4 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.8 x 9.2 x 0 inch

£484

Sculpture, Ray of Hope, Philip Hearsey

Ray of Hope

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 27.5 x 20 x 8.5 cm Sculpture - 10.8 x 7.9 x 3.3 inch

£900

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