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
Photography, Holy Fruits, Moena Weiss

Moena Weiss

Photography . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€475

Fine Art Drawings, The Nursery, Alla Kechedzhan

Alla Kechedzhan

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€2,800

Painting, You Had Me at Merlot, Hela

Hela

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

€600

Painting, Trois Roses, Pierre Sojo

Pierre Sojo

Painting . 33 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€1,500

Painting, One, Julia Faer

One

Julia Faer

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€456

Painting, Blue Harmony, Ara Gasparyan

Ara Gasparyan

Painting . 35 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€320 €256

Painting, Lemon Tree, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

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

€301

Painting, Salon IlI, Juan Li

Juan Li

Painting . 44 x 23 x 1 cm Painting . 17.3 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

€700

Painting, Sunflower, Elijah Olanase

Elijah Olanase

Painting . 35.6 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 14 x 14 x 1 inch

€411

Fine Art Drawings, Avocado, Tatiana Denisova

Tatiana Denisova

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€575

Painting, Berry wine, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€456

Painting, Red Peppers, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

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

€200

Painting, Liquid Confidence, Hela

Hela

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

€600

Painting, Sunflowers, Nelli Tsenova

Nelli Tsenova

Painting . 34 x 17 x 2 cm Painting . 13.4 x 6.7 x 0.8 inch

€580

Painting, Hortensias, Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

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

€3,400

Painting, Wine tasting, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€456

Painting, If I were Belle, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€520

Painting, Sans titre, Yves Bonhomme

Yves Bonhomme

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

€500

Painting, Trois pommes, Pierre Sojo

Pierre Sojo

Painting . 33 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€1,500

Painting, Come Fly With Me, Amy Nelder

Amy Nelder

Painting . 40.6 x 40.6 x 3.2 cm Painting . 16 x 16 x 1.25 inch

€4,108

Painting, Coffee time, Rudyard Heaton

Rudyard Heaton

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

€380

Painting, Portrait 16, Shahram Nabati

Shahram Nabati

Painting . 36 x 36 x 2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 14.2 x 0.8 inch

€600 €540

Painting, Spring Scent, Anush Emiryan

Anush Emiryan

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

€137 €110

Photography, Shakespeare, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch

€600

Photography, Nature morte I, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 45 x 30 x 1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€600

11/26