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, Illusion, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

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

£142

Fine Art Drawings, Landscape, Myriam Bering

Myriam Bering

Fine Art Drawings . 31.5 x 41 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.4 x 16.1 x 0 inch

£354

Painting, Selo 17, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

£221

Painting, Still: Evening, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 30.4 x 30.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

£907

Photography, #11, Julien Espiaut

#11

Julien Espiaut

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

£168

Painting, Birds, Rinalds Vanadzins

Rinalds Vanadzins

Painting . 49.8 x 39.9 x 1.8 cm Painting . 19.6 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

£803

Painting, High & Clear, Moira Hazel

Moira Hazel

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

£961

Photography, Sans 1, Lucien Hervé

Lucien Hervé

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

£2,655

Fine Art Drawings, The City Bridge, Alla Kechedzhan

Alla Kechedzhan

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

£1,505

Painting, Still: Morning, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 30.4 x 30.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

£907

Painting, Montmartre, Ivan Pylypenko

Ivan Pylypenko

Painting . 30 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

£446

Painting, Sola 7, Sola Puig

Sola Puig

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

£1,151

Photography, Tirana 3, Rodolfo Franchi

Rodolfo Franchi

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

£496

Painting, The Queens Walk, Richard K

Richard K

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

£1,134

Painting, Au loin, Bruno Spadaro

Bruno Spadaro

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

£743

Painting, Lluita, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 40.3 x 40.3 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.9 x 15.9 x 0.1 inch

£1,084

Photography, Tirana 2, Rodolfo Franchi

Rodolfo Franchi

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

£496

Painting, Superman, David Walker

David Walker

Painting . 39 x 39 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 15.4 x 0.1 inch

£1,289