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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Print, Death03215, Death NYC

Death03215

Death NYC

Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

£78

Print, DeathG655, Death NYC

DeathG655

Death NYC

Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

£78

Print, Death80, Death NYC

Death80

Death NYC

Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

£78

Print, DeathQ519, Death NYC

DeathQ519

Death NYC

Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

£78

Painting, Maradona, Dr. Love

Maradona

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

£79

Painting, Maradona, Dr. Love

Maradona

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

£79

Photography, Liz & Dick, Bert Stern

Liz & Dick

Bert Stern

Photography - 33 x 48 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 inch

£3,411

Sculpture, Art Energy, Ad Van Hassel

Art Energy

Ad Van Hassel

Sculpture - 33 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture - 13 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch

£197

Painting, Major bowie, Spaco

Major bowie

Spaco

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

£166

Painting, CC Love, Michael Edery

CC Love

Michael Edery

Painting - 40 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

£787

Painting, Marilyn Vogue, Dr. Love

Marilyn Vogue

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

£105 £79

Painting, Marilyn in love, Dr. Love

Marilyn in love

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

£122

Painting, Pop dream, Dr. Love

Pop dream

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

£122

Painting, Metallica, Carlos Olmo

Metallica

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 27 x 19 x 2 cm Painting - 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.8 inch

£350

Print, Atomic Bardot, Batik

Atomic Bardot

Batik

Print - 50.8 x 50.8 x 0 cm Print - 20 x 20 x 0.01 inch

£809

Painting, Marilyn, Horss

Marilyn

Horss

Painting - 22.9 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 9 x 12 x 0.1 inch

£700

Painting, M chedid, Spaco

M chedid

Spaco

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

£175

Painting, Bowie Aladin, Spaco

Bowie Aladin

Spaco

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

£175

Painting, Delon Rocco, Spaco

Delon Rocco

Spaco

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

£175

Painting, Victor Wembanyama, PyB

Victor Wembanyama

PyB

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

£166

Painting, Monsieur Renaud, PyB

Monsieur Renaud

PyB

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

£166

Painting, Françoise Hardy, PyB

Françoise Hardy

PyB

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

£166

Print, DeathG597, Death NYC

DeathG597

Death NYC

Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

£78

Painting, Last night a DJ, Spaco

Last night a DJ

Spaco

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

£149

Print, DeathP284, Death NYC

DeathP284

Death NYC

Print - 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

£78

Painting, King van Beethoven, Spaco

King van Beethoven

Spaco

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

£149

Painting, the doors Morisson, Spaco

the doors Morisson

Spaco

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

£166

Painting, John Lennon colors, PyB

John Lennon colors

PyB

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

£166