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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Photography, Forêt III, Bruno Fournier

Bruno Fournier

Photography . 30 x 46 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

£1,151

Photography, Mathildenpassage, Klaus Frahm

Klaus Frahm

Photography . 30 x 40.5 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.9 x 0 inch

£1,284

Photography, Björk, Renaud Monfourny

Renaud Monfourny

Photography . 40 x 30 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 inch

£1,328

Photography, Mur 008, Sophie Bassouls

Sophie Bassouls

Photography . 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography . 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch

£664

Photography, El caballero, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography . 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

£1,182

Photography, David Bowie, Ron Galella

Ron Galella

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

£4,461

Photography, Elton John II, Robert Knight

Robert Knight

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography . 16 x 20 x 2 inch

£771

Photography, Baobab, Margaux Panel

Margaux Panel

Photography . 30 x 46 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

£620

Photography, Boys Playing, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

£3,894

Photography, Morning, Luke Simmonds

Luke Simmonds

Photography . 43 x 30 cm Photography . 16.9 x 11.8 inch

£443

Print, Saba, Anna Gawlikowska

Anna Gawlikowska

Print . 28 x 23 cm Print . 11 x 9.1 inch

£177

Photography, Anissa, Gérard Uféras

Gérard Uféras

Photography . 40 x 50 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 inch

£1,594

Photography, Dancers, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.3 cm Photography . 14 x 11 x 0.5 inch

£3,894

Photography, Dohaya, Luz

Luz

Photography . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

£788

Photography, Portrait #1, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

Photography . 50 x 40 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

£709

Photography, Ensayo, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 40 x 50 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 inch

£855

Photography, Fall, Tenesh Webber

Tenesh Webber

Photography . 28 x 28 cm Photography . 11 x 11 inch

£2,160

Photography, Sans 1, Lucien Hervé

Lucien Hervé

Photography . 40 x 30 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 inch

£2,657

Photography, Goodnight II, Amrita Bilimoria

Amrita Bilimoria

Photography . 45.7 x 45.7 x 0.5 cm Photography . 18 x 18 x 0.2 inch

£1,272

Photography, Flying, Victoire d'Harcourt

Victoire d'Harcourt

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

£1,063

Photography, Sonny & Cher, Ron Galella

Ron Galella

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 cm Photography . 11 x 14 inch

£3,651

Photography, 135 Méga-Jul #2, Samzaï

Samzaï

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.5 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch

£146

Photography, Le Saule, Elizabeth H

Elizabeth H

Photography . 40 x 28 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11 inch

£443

Photography, Ali I, Gerry Cranham

Gerry Cranham

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

£877

Photography, DeliRiUs, Louis Blanc

Louis Blanc

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

£1,240

Painting, Intrigue, Jonathan Pradillon

Jonathan Pradillon

Painting . 31.3 x 22.7 x 2 cm Painting . 12.3 x 8.9 x 0.8 inch

£177

Photography, Revenir..., D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

Photography . 50 x 40 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

£709

Photography, Superman Parade, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

£3,894

Photography, ContemplatlO, Louis Blanc

Louis Blanc

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

£886

Photography, Jacquelina, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

£1,196

Photography, Just JAZZ, Karol Kállay

Karol Kállay

Photography . 41 x 50 cm Photography . 16.1 x 19.7 inch

£2,834

Painting, Code 1956, Thierry Carrier

Thierry Carrier

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

£1,594

Photography, Rivales, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

Photography . 50 x 40 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

£709

Photography, Point Break, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

£142

Photography, Time Out, John Migicovsky

John Migicovsky

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 x 1.3 cm Photography . 16 x 20 x 0.5 inch

£933