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, Le colis, Flavien Couche

Flavien Couche

Painting - 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€250

Photography, Galaxy brain, Leobardo Huerta

Leobardo Huerta

Photography - 39.4 x 31.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 15.5 x 12.5 x 0.1 inch

€1,074

Print, Naki babaÏ, Didier Hamey

Didier Hamey

Print - 32 x 28 x 0.2 cm Print - 12.6 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€300

Print, Akki, Didier Hamey

Didier Hamey

Print - 32 x 28 cm Print - 12.6 x 11 inch

€400

Painting, The Idol, Ciprian Mihailescu

Ciprian Mihailescu

Painting - 30.5 x 30.5 x 4 cm Painting - 12 x 12 x 1.6 inch

€1,000

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Mathilde Anclin

Mathilde Anclin

Fine Art Drawings - 29.5 x 42 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.6 x 16.5 inch

€720

Fine Art Drawings, Rixe à Lille, Marcoleptique

Marcoleptique

Fine Art Drawings - 27 x 35 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.6 x 13.8 inch

€550

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Dominique Liccia

Dominique Liccia

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 inch

€420

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Dominique Liccia

Dominique Liccia

Fine Art Drawings - 32 x 24 cm Fine Art Drawings - 12.6 x 9.4 inch

€420

Fine Art Drawings, Folie 16, Denis Poughon

Denis Poughon

Fine Art Drawings - 26 x 13 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 10.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Insulaire, Marcoleptique

Marcoleptique

Fine Art Drawings - 34 x 23 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.4 x 9.1 inch

€400

Painting, Colors Inside, Angelo Pioppo

Angelo Pioppo

Painting - 42 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€790

Photography, Runaway, Dasha Pears

Dasha Pears

Photography - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€780

Sculpture, Petrified, Oshi Rabin

Oshi Rabin

Sculpture - 29.2 x 50.8 x 19.1 cm Sculpture - 11.5 x 20 x 7.5 inch

€7,157

Print, 5th Dimension, Cajuca

Cajuca

Print - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€358

Print, Gemini, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 35 x 26.2 x 0.1 cm Print - 13.8 x 10.3 x 0 inch

€1,800

Print, Bicephalous, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 39 x 27.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 15.4 x 10.8 x 0 inch

€2,200

Print, Bicephale, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 38.5 x 29 x 0.1 cm Print - 15.2 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€2,500

Photography, Skyward, Brooke Shaden

Brooke Shaden

Photography - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€2,400

Painting, Artist, Alexandra Papafotiou

Alexandra Papafotiou

Painting - 45 x 45 x 1.5 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.6 inch

€1,100

Photography, Moth, Brooke Shaden

Brooke Shaden

Photography - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€2,400

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