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, Etude 555 A, Thierry Corpet

Thierry Corpet

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Etude 555 B, Thierry Corpet

Thierry Corpet

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Etude 555 C, Thierry Corpet

Thierry Corpet

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Fragments 4, Baboute

Baboute

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

€500

Painting, Untitled 217, Rikke Bjørn

Rikke Bjørn

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

€600

Print, Alchimie 3, Julio Le Parc

Julio Le Parc

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€1,000

Painting, Blue ZZG, Anthony Emerton

Anthony Emerton

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.4 inch

€5,450

Sculpture, Untitled, Pere Aragay

Pere Aragay

Sculpture . 30 x 27 x 15 cm Sculpture . 11.8 x 10.6 x 5.9 inch

€1,000

Painting, Etude 555 D, Thierry Corpet

Thierry Corpet

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Etude 555 E, Thierry Corpet

Thierry Corpet

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Sculpture, Espoir, Rémy Demestre

Rémy Demestre

Sculpture . 33 x 36.5 x 12 cm Sculpture . 13 x 14.4 x 4.7 inch

€440

Painting, 3T-20, Martin Singer

Martin Singer

Painting . 28 x 28 x 3.5 cm Painting . 11 x 11 x 1.4 inch

€420

Painting, UP23_69, Matt Neuman

Matt Neuman

Painting . 28 x 28 x 2 cm Painting . 11 x 11 x 0.8 inch

€2,100

Painting, Ellipses Roses, Elimo

Elimo

Painting . 40 x 40 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€1,060

Sculpture, Quadrant, Patricia Volk

Patricia Volk

Sculpture . 27 x 42 x 18 cm Sculpture . 10.6 x 16.5 x 7.1 inch

€3,900

Painting, Etude 555 F, Thierry Corpet

Thierry Corpet

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Print, Alchimie 2, Julio Le Parc

Julio Le Parc

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€1,000

Sculpture, Geometry, Lili P

Lili P

Sculpture . 37 x 35 x 10 cm Sculpture . 14.6 x 13.8 x 3.9 inch

€1,106

Sculpture, Halo Blue, Scott Troxel

Scott Troxel

Sculpture . 50.8 x 35.6 x 5.1 cm Sculpture . 20 x 14 x 2 inch

€2,300

Painting, Divine, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 3.8 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 1.5 inch

€455

Fine Art Drawings, La danse, Samuel Perche

Samuel Perche

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.7 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.7 inch

€450 €405

Fine Art Drawings, # 220, Daniel Gonçalves

Daniel Gonçalves

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 50 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€600

Sculpture, Mère et enfant, Stratos

Stratos

Sculpture . 34 x 38 x 15 cm Sculpture . 13.4 x 15 x 5.9 inch

€1,700

Sculpture, ooOoo, Aniana Heras

Aniana Heras

Sculpture . 20.8 x 49.8 x 17.8 cm Sculpture . 8.2 x 19.6 x 7 inch

€1,074

Painting, Illusion, Muriel Charbonnier

Muriel Charbonnier

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

€1,300

Sculpture, Untitled, Pere Aragay

Pere Aragay

Sculpture . 35.5 x 35 x 15 cm Sculpture . 14 x 13.8 x 5.9 inch

€1,000

Print, Marseille, Lionel Borla

Lionel Borla

Print . 50 x 35 x 1 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€200

Sculpture, Egg, Scott Troxel

Egg

Scott Troxel

Sculpture . 41 x 26 x 5 cm Sculpture . 16.1 x 10.2 x 2 inch

€2,000