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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Sculpture, Teddy Hermes pop pink, Naor

Naor

Sculpture . 35 x 26 x 25 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 10.2 x 9.8 inch

€682

Painting, Feelings Inside, Igor Galan

Igor Galan

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

€2,200

Painting, Good morning, Eugene Petrov

Eugene Petrov

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

€480

Painting, Ronde Haring Colors, Spaco

Spaco

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

€200

Painting, Eden, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

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

€542

Fine Art Drawings, Figures, Mino Maccari

Mino Maccari

Fine Art Drawings . 23 x 34 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.1 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€990

Print, DEATHL311, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199 €150

Painting, Kiff, Keny

Keny

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

€500

Painting, Lapin songeur, Zwy Milshtein

Zwy Milshtein

Painting . 50 x 32 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€1,400

Painting, P15.2020, Antony Densham

Antony Densham

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

€964

Painting, Kaki 2, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Print, DeathF1548, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Print, Death01661, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Painting, Summer Heat II, Jane W

Jane W

Painting . 21 x 27 x 4 cm Painting . 8.3 x 10.6 x 1.6 inch

€470

Sculpture, Joyeux chaos, Wabé

Wabé

Sculpture . 37 x 37 x 37 cm Sculpture . 14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 inch

€4,200

Fine Art Drawings, The Fish II, Marianna Oklejak

Marianna Oklejak

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 41.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€370

Painting, Stress Day V, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€250

Painting, Bouquet rond, Navema

Navema

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

€560

Painting, Love amour, Elisabeth Coudol

Elisabeth Coudol

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

€550

Painting, Pink Cat, Lussy

Lussy

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

€110

Painting, Margit, Igor Galan

Igor Galan

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

€1,800

Painting, Tondo 2, Johanna Lisa

Johanna Lisa

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

€400

Painting, Joker, Anne-Marie Torrisi

Anne-Marie Torrisi

Painting . 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€5,500

Design, Dot powdery mat, Reda Amalou

Reda Amalou

Design . 45 x 41 x 41 cm Design . 17.7 x 16.1 x 16.1 inch

€1,280

Photography, Magnolia, Romain Liverato

Romain Liverato

Photography . 40 x 39 x 0.5 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.4 x 0.2 inch

€1,000

Painting, Summer Heat I, Jane W

Jane W

Painting . 21 x 27 x 4 cm Painting . 8.3 x 10.6 x 1.6 inch

€470

Photography, Strata # 202501, Paul Snell

Paul Snell

Photography . 50 x 7.5 x 10.5 cm Photography . 19.7 x 3 x 4.1 inch

€2,409

Painting, Untitled, Benedicte Caillat

Benedicte Caillat

Painting . 46 x 37 x 1.5 cm Painting . 18.1 x 14.6 x 0.6 inch

€1,100

Sculpture, Il sonno, Crix Lune

Crix Lune

Sculpture . 26 x 34 x 7 cm Sculpture . 10.2 x 13.4 x 2.8 inch

€400

Painting, Rouages, Amélie Tilliole

Amélie Tilliole

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

€230

Painting, Picaflor 106, Keng Wai Lee

Keng Wai Lee

Painting . 30 x 30 x 5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 2 inch

€542

Sculpture, I Wish You, Ninu

Ninu

Sculpture . 26 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture . 10.2 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch

€750

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