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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Fine Art Drawings, Amour troublé, Marion Lachant

Marion Lachant

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 50 x 3.4 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.3 inch

€500

Painting, 2012, Shank Arte

Shank Arte

Painting . 30 x 42 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.8 inch

€960

Fine Art Drawings, Snoop Dogg, Aurel

Aurel

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.6 x 0.1 inch

€400

Sculpture, Orbit, James Chiew

James Chiew

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

€3,950

Painting, The Invader Colors, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Painting, Culture, Xiaoyang Galas

Xiaoyang Galas

Painting . 40.9 x 31 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16.1 x 12.2 x 0.1 inch

€896

Fine Art Drawings, Forest fruits, Baptiste Laurent

Baptiste Laurent

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 35 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

€450

Painting, Portrait II, Rong Su

Rong Su

Painting . 40 x 30 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

€800

Painting, Printemps II, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, Grumpy Doodle, BB.Queen

BB.Queen

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, Motoka, La Pointe

La Pointe

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,083

Painting, Composition 301, Xiu

Xiu

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

€700

Painting, Chill, Disek

Disek

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€750

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€800

Painting, Abondance, Navema

Navema

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

€560

Painting, Presque rien, Marie Miranda

Marie Miranda

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

€480

Painting, Horizon doré, Maria Ruisi

Maria Ruisi

Painting . 49.9 x 49.9 x 3 cm Painting . 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Monjes Camboya, M. Muro

M. Muro

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

€2,000

Painting, 2014.01.04, Oksana Mas

Oksana Mas

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

€2,500

Painting, I love you teddy, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Love me tender, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Pianissimo, Arsen

Arsen

Painting . 47 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 18.5 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€700

Painting, Cappello Azzurro, Luigi Iona

Luigi Iona

Painting . 36 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€195

Painting, Wolf, Lauren Acton

Lauren Acton

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 1 inch

€812

Painting, Eden, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 2 inch

€542

Painting, Face 2, Tarek Butayhi

Tarek Butayhi

Painting . 50 x 50 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€1,354

Painting, Balade en forêt, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, 15 RV, Xanda McCagg

Xanda McCagg

Painting . 30.5 x 46 cm Painting . 12 x 18.1 inch

€1,087

Painting, Dream abyss, Dantès

Dantès

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Le chat de Mr.Hope, MrHope

MrHope

Painting . 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

€200

Painting, Préférence, Genny B

Genny B

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€175

Painting, Kiff, Keny

Keny

Painting . 45 x 22.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 17.7 x 8.9 x 1 inch

€500

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