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, New Day, Zakhar Shevchuk

Zakhar Shevchuk

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

€1,200

Painting, Blue, Zakhar Shevchuk

Zakhar Shevchuk

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,050

Painting, Citron, AE2

AE2

Painting . 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€300

Painting, Deux sœurs, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 34.5 x 34.5 x 2 cm Painting . 13.6 x 13.6 x 0.8 inch

€499

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 29 x 21 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€500 €440

Painting, Rêverie, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 30 x 25 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch

€149 €142

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 29 x 21 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€500 €440

Painting, Morning, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 20 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€750

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, Daydream, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€690

Painting, Evening, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 20 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€750

Painting, On Duty, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€690

Painting, Summertime, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€525

Painting, Léon, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€545

Painting, Sunny day, Aram Sevoyan

Aram Sevoyan

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

€684 €582

Painting, Autumn Rose, Yuriy Demiyanov

Yuriy Demiyanov

Painting . 40 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,900

Painting, Sea No15, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Painting . 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€264 €238

Painting, La sirène, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€549

Painting, La Lyre, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€549

Painting, Aquarius, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€499

Painting, Rêverie, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€750

Painting, Trois, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 50 x 50 x 2.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1 inch

€699

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 30 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€550 €484

Painting, Ensemble, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€699

Painting, Night life, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 25 x 35 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 inch

€638 €479

Painting, Printemps, Yuriy Demiyanov

Yuriy Demiyanov

Painting . 40 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€2,600

Painting, Evening cafe, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 25 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€547 €410

Painting, Automne, Thomas Groslier

Thomas Groslier

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

€300

Painting, Emprise, Francis Moreau

Francis Moreau

Painting . 41 x 33 x 5 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 2 inch

€800

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