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, 50.50, Michel Rauscher

Michel Rauscher

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,500

Painting, Bury, Anya Spielman

Anya Spielman

Painting . 28 x 26 cm Painting . 11 x 10.2 inch

€1,810

Painting, Mainstream, Salvatore Alessi

Salvatore Alessi

Painting . 50 x 40 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,900

Painting, Sofoco, Carmen Cañadas

Carmen Cañadas

Painting . 41 x 22 x 3 cm Painting . 16.1 x 8.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,300

Painting, Arance Moro, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€960

Painting, Parrots, Valeri Tsvetkov

Valeri Tsvetkov

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

€880

Painting, En Els Temps, Lucena Tate

Lucena Tate

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€800

Painting, Theatre, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

Painting . 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,440

Painting, Sans titre 14, Marie Pernet

Marie Pernet

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, P069, Eric Cruikshank

Eric Cruikshank

Painting . 44 x 37 x 0.1 cm Painting . 17.3 x 14.6 x 0 inch

€2,414

Painting, Eden, Olha Trikolich

Olha Trikolich

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,200

Painting, Harlequin II, Carl White

Carl White

Painting . 48 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€1,240

Painting, Kakapo, Irina Sazonova

Irina Sazonova

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

€1,371

Painting, Soleil matinal, Denis Miau

Denis Miau

Painting . 35 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Les bouleaux, Eurgal

Eurgal

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

€1,200

Painting, A feast, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€960

Painting, Coiffure, Xavier Albert Fiala

Xavier Albert Fiala

Painting . 49.7 x 38 x 0.7 cm Painting . 19.6 x 15 x 0.3 inch

€1,129

Painting, Vestige, Laurens Heurtebise

Laurens Heurtebise

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€1,700

Painting, ID165, Aivars Kisnics

Aivars Kisnics

Painting . 21 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€250

Painting, Aigle, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 25 x 50 x 12 cm Painting . 9.8 x 19.7 x 4.7 inch

€450

Painting, Elbe, Ralph Resch

Ralph Resch

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€500

Painting, Soul of Freedom, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

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

€201 €171

Painting, L'instant, Sandrine Hirson

Sandrine Hirson

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

€500 €475

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, Mainstream, Salvatore Alessi

Salvatore Alessi

Painting . 50 x 40 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,900

Painting, Triste, Shank Arte

Shank Arte

Painting . 48 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 18.9 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,160

Painting, Red fruits, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,120

Painting, Above the sea, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,120

Painting, The Arch, Nataliya Gurshman

Nataliya Gurshman

Painting . 15.2 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Painting . 6 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€492

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