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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Fortune Favours the Bold
Isabelle Hirtzig
Painting - 30 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€215
Place de Naples animée et marché
Oscar Ricciardi
Painting - 38 x 22.7 x 0.5 cm Painting - 15 x 8.9 x 0.2 inch
€1,055
This bouquet is for you
Natalya Mougenot
Photography - 27 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography - 10.6 x 7.9 x 0 inch
€250
The delight of french toast
Natalya Mougenot
Photography - 27 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography - 10.6 x 7.9 x 0 inch
€250
Bonne fête maman, this peony is for you
Natalya Mougenot
Photography - 27 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography - 10.6 x 7.9 x 0 inch
€250
Crique d'Occitanie 2
Christine Desplanque
Painting - 36 x 41 x 2 cm Painting - 14.2 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch
Sold
Vive les fleurs multicolores
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
In the embrace . Original oil painting of Forest
Momalyu Liubov Kriuchkova
Painting - 30 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch
€420
Portrait de sculpteurs du Musée des Sables
John Craven né Conte
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch
€2,900 €2,610
Portrait MOON SHIN
John Craven né Conte
Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch
€2,900 €1,450
Vive les fleurs et cool
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
Vive les fleurs dans un vase
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
Muse au téléphone monumental 1972 MATHAUSEN
Florian Hunger-Pegof
Photography - 28 x 18 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11 x 7.1 x 0.2 inch
€4,900 €2,450
1972 Muse à la Sculpture de granit monumentale MATHAUSEN
Florian Hunger-Pegof
Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch
€2,900 €1,450
Autoportrait 1972 Hunger Pegof à la cigarette
Florian Hunger-Pegof
Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch
€1,900 €950
197WIENER AKTIONISMUS Fish Eye HUNGER PEGOF Autoportrait
Florian Hunger-Pegof
Photography - 30 x 20 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inch
€1,900 €1,710
Fish Eye Autoportrait
Florian Hunger-Pegof
Photography - 30 x 20 x 0.5 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inch
€1,900 €1,710
Vive les chats en voiture cool
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
Vive les fleurs et le skate
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
Vive les fleurs, les fleurs et les fleurs
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
Vive les fleurs et les palmiers
Seb Paul Michel
Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€170
L'aviateur - Jeux d'enfants
Nacks
Painting - 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch
€700
La fillette au cœur qui s'envole Love
Ravi
Sculpture - 40 x 15 x 8 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 5.9 x 3.1 inch
€150
Quand ma matrioshka rencontre Banksy
Fridouch'ka
Painting - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€150 €135
Quand ma matrioshka rencontre Warhol
Fridouch'ka
Painting - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€200
Quand ma matrioshka rencontre Klimt
Fridouch'ka
Painting - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
€210 €189
Watering - Botanical Sceneries
Aurélie Trabaud
Painting - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€790
Forest magic
Serhii Cherniakovskyi
Painting - 50 x 35 x 0.4 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.2 inch
Sold
