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, Landing, David Walker

David Walker

Painting . 39.5 x 39.5 cm Painting . 15.6 x 15.6 inch

€1,429

Painting, Lightpackers, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 32 x 24 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

€450

Painting, Shadows, Charlotte Lenssen

Charlotte Lenssen

Painting . 46.9 x 35.5 x 4.4 cm Painting . 18.5 x 14 x 1.7 inch

€1,112

Fine Art Drawings, Parade nuptiale, Mister Pee

Mister Pee

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 inch

€400

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Arnaud GIbersztajn

Arnaud GIbersztajn

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 23 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, N'oublie pas, Gaelle Beyaert

Gaelle Beyaert

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.7 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch

€180

Fine Art Drawings, Rabbit & Flowers, Minako Asakura

Minako Asakura

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 40 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Warmss, Evaristo Callo

Evaristo Callo

Painting . 28 x 45 cm Painting . 11 x 17.7 inch

€800

Painting, Livre, Mariam Khachatryan

Mariam Khachatryan

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

€1,200

Painting, Le Coq !, Noël Granger

Noël Granger

Painting . 29 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€120

Painting, Lava flow, Zsolt Bukta

Zsolt Bukta

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

€1,400

Painting, Hombre Monte, Eduardo Candil

Eduardo Candil

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

€600

Painting, Lightpackers, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 32 x 24 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

€450

Painting, Landscape 192, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€550 €495

Painting, Landscapes 190, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€550

Painting, Landscape 189, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

Painting . 35 x 35.5 x 1 cm Painting . 13.8 x 14 x 0.4 inch

€550

Painting, Les autres, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

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

€400

Painting, Run run run, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 31 x 23 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 9.1 x 0 inch

€400

Painting, On duty, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€400

Painting, Landscapes 196, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€550

Painting, Landscapes 195, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€550

Painting, Landscapes 197, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€550

Painting, Landscapes 193, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€550

Painting, Camouflage, Thierry Bronchart

Thierry Bronchart

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

€2,100

Painting, Camouflage, Thierry Bronchart

Thierry Bronchart

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

€2,100

Painting, Aquarelle, Julien Raynaud

Julien Raynaud

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

€750

Fine Art Drawings, Magnolia, Tatiana Denisova

Tatiana Denisova

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.8 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€592 €533

Painting, Sagesse, Nathalie Cubéro

Nathalie Cubéro

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€660

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