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, Figue, André Masson

André Masson

Print - 26 x 19 x 0.1 cm Print - 10.2 x 7.5 x 0 inch

$977

Painting, Orange tulips, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

$855

Painting, En sommardag, Marie Sandell

Marie Sandell

Painting - 35 x 35 x 3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch

$977

Sculpture, König, Nando Kallweit

Nando Kallweit

Sculpture - 26 x 7 x 4 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 2.8 x 1.6 inch

$814

Sculpture, Development, Milko Dobrev

Milko Dobrev

Sculpture - 28 x 13 x 5 cm Sculpture - 11 x 5.1 x 2 inch

$1,038

Painting, Sweet thing, Maria Esmar

Maria Esmar

Painting - 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

$794

Painting, Aquarelle, Julien Raynaud

Julien Raynaud

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

$916

Print, Balance, Irena Aizen

Irena Aizen

Print - 25.5 x 22.5 x 1 cm Print - 10 x 8.9 x 0.4 inch

$791

Painting, Régate, Pierrick Tual

Pierrick Tual

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

$879

Painting, Fields 9.9, Joëlle Cabanne

Joëlle Cabanne

Painting - 42 x 29.7 x 2.5 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.7 x 1 inch

$977

Print, Festival, Fernand Léger

Fernand Léger

Print - 48 x 34 x 0.5 cm Print - 18.9 x 13.4 x 0.2 inch

$977

Print, Sans-titre, Max Ernst

Max Ernst

Print - 38 x 28 cm Print - 15 x 11 inch

$794

Fine Art Drawings, Sies Marjan, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

Fine Art Drawings - 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

$800

Painting, Composition 301, Xiu

Xiu

Painting - 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

$855

Sculpture, 53, Jérôme Mesnager

53

Jérôme Mesnager

Sculpture - 28 x 25 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11 x 9.8 x 5.9 inch

$733

Painting, Love tribute Mondrian, Shelby

Shelby

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

$1,221 $1,099

Print, Paris verte, M.Chat

M.Chat

Print - 44 x 35 cm Print - 17.3 x 13.8 inch

$427

Painting, Untitled 2, Sara Chaar

Sara Chaar

Painting - 42 x 30 cm Painting - 16.5 x 11.8 inch

$850

Painting, Pink arch, Procach Olesia

Procach Olesia

Painting - 45 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$751

Print, Goldorak, C215

C215

Print - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$672

Painting, Traversée, Nadia Zouari

Nadia Zouari

Painting - 29 x 29 x 3 cm Painting - 11.4 x 11.4 x 1.2 inch

$611

Design, Small Lie Brown, Kaws

Kaws

Design - 27.9 x 12.7 x 11.4 cm Design - 11 x 5 x 4.5 inch

$977

Fine Art Drawings, Discurso indiferente, Teo Franco

Teo Franco

Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

$672

Print, Untitled, Robert Combas

Robert Combas

Print - 38 x 28 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 11 x 0 inch

$2,443

Sculpture, Balloon Heart, Mr Brainwash

Mr Brainwash

Sculpture - 41 x 41 x 26 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 16.1 x 10.2 inch

$45,000

Painting, La tête en vrac, AKET

AKET

Painting - 46 x 38 x 3 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 1.2 inch

$2,198

Print, On est tous fous, Ben

Ben

Print - 40 x 50 cm Print - 15.7 x 19.7 inch

$2,198

Painting, Fashion, Nathalie Cubéro

Nathalie Cubéro

Painting - 50 x 40 x 0.25 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$672

Sculpture, Mère et enfant, Stratos

Stratos

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

$2,076

Painting, Black galaxy, Ana Hefco

Ana Hefco

Painting - 40.6 x 40.6 x 3.8 cm Painting - 16 x 16 x 1.5 inch

$675

Sculpture, Turning Point, Gaspard Mitz

Gaspard Mitz

Sculpture - 24 x 34 x 6.5 cm Sculpture - 9.4 x 13.4 x 2.6 inch

$855

Sculpture, Painter Can, tizlu

tizlu

Sculpture - 30 x 24 x 12 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 9.4 x 4.7 inch

$1,466 $1,026

Painting, Purple Touch, Eklektik

Eklektik

Painting - 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

$672

Print, Shit, Keymi

Keymi

Print - 48 x 36 cm Print - 18.9 x 14.2 inch

$244

Painting, Arc II No.7, Jeremy Annear

Jeremy Annear

Painting - 35.5 x 25.2 x 0.1 cm Painting - 14 x 9.9 x 0 inch

$2,123

Painting, Toi et moi, Eurgal

Eurgal

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1 inch

$1,466

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