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, Blue light, Dam Domido

Dam Domido

Painting . 41 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€590

Fine Art Drawings, Legato Pause, Timi O

Timi O

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 20.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.1 x 0 inch

€229

Painting, Claim 143, Mark Hellbusch

Mark Hellbusch

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€290

Fine Art Drawings, Cumulus Clouds, Alla Kechedzhan

Alla Kechedzhan

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€4,500

Painting, Memory 20250629, Dake Wang Qi

Dake Wang Qi

Painting . 30 x 30 x 3.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.3 inch

€450

Painting, Winter Dreams/2, Helen Mount

Helen Mount

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

€600

Painting, Autumn Talks/7, Helen Mount

Helen Mount

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

€500

Painting, Couple II, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting . 34 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 13.4 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€458

Fine Art Drawings, In My Garden 20200529, Yaki Li

Yaki Li

Fine Art Drawings . 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€185

Fine Art Drawings, Surface, Timi O

Timi O

Fine Art Drawings . 31 x 23 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.2 x 9.1 x 0 inch

€265

Painting, Faces, Nazar Ivanyuk

Nazar Ivanyuk

Painting . 25 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€600

Fine Art Drawings, Lilac wings, Yulia Belasla

Yulia Belasla

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 28.6 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.3 x 0 inch

€730

Fine Art Drawings, The pink sunset, Yulia Belasla

Yulia Belasla

Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 32 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.4 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€686

Painting, Renaissance, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.01 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€600

Painting, Blue, Eric Munsch

Eric Munsch

Painting . 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch

€450

Photography, Trees, Nicholas Winter

Nicholas Winter

Photography . 40 x 40 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€980

Print, L'Oise, Alexei Lantsev

Alexei Lantsev

Print . 30.5 x 45 cm Print . 12 x 17.7 inch

€155

Painting, Wave, Mishurovsky Victor

Mishurovsky Victor

Painting . 20.5 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 8.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€250

Painting, Spring, Katalin Soós

Katalin Soós

Painting . 45 x 45 x 3 cm Painting . 17.7 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch

€400

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