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, To Rob A Bank, Karl Lagasse

Karl Lagasse

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

€2,498

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

Sculpture, Black Tide, XBO Art

XBO Art

Sculpture . 41 x 12 x 12 cm Sculpture . 16.1 x 4.7 x 4.7 inch

€1,250

Sculpture, One Dollar Yeshu, Karl Lagasse

Karl Lagasse

Sculpture . 38.5 x 16.5 x 0.2 cm Sculpture . 15.2 x 6.5 x 0.1 inch

€2,150

Sculpture, One dollar Nuhro, Karl Lagasse

Karl Lagasse

Sculpture . 38.5 x 16.5 x 0.2 cm Sculpture . 15.2 x 6.5 x 0.1 inch

€2,150

Print, Upgrade, Ske

Ske

Print . 29.7 x 42 x 0.1 cm Print . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€175

Print, Out Of Pattern, Ske

Ske

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€175

Print, Homer Night EA, Ske

Ske

Print . 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€140

Painting, ID165, Aivars Kisnics

Aivars Kisnics

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

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled (1), Jules Be Kuti

Jules Be Kuti

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€580

Design, Chum Jaune, Kaws

Kaws

Design . 30 x 20 x 9 cm Design . 11.8 x 7.9 x 3.5 inch

€800

Painting, Hair, Maka Batiashvili

Maka Batiashvili

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

€5,000

Painting, Arianna, Alexander Daniloff

Alexander Daniloff

Painting . 40 x 8.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 3.3 x 0.2 inch

€235

Sculpture, Paint Coke Pop, Nikki Floran

Nikki Floran

Sculpture . 27 x 23 x 6 cm Sculpture . 10.6 x 9.1 x 2.4 inch

€2,890

Print, Chrayscler, Fifo Stricker

Fifo Stricker

Print . 49.5 x 19.5 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.5 x 7.7 x 0 inch

€550

Painting, T'es chou, Chavé

Chavé

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

€90

Painting, MT18, Brat

Brat

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

€700

Painting, Springtime, Susan Porter

Susan Porter

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.5 inch

€221

Painting, Incarnadine, Anya Spielman

Anya Spielman

Painting . 35.6 x 15.2 x 0.1 cm Painting . 14 x 6 x 0 inch

€1,747

Painting, Cedro, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,120

Painting, Cléopatra, Gaelle Beyaert

Gaelle Beyaert

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

€1,260

Painting, Climbing high, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,440

Fine Art Drawings, Crewin’, Bunkt_

Bunkt_

Fine Art Drawings . 43.2 x 35.6 cm Fine Art Drawings . 17 x 14 inch

€113

Fine Art Drawings, The Fish III, 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, Fall Color, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

€1,400

Painting, Evident, Gilbert Morales

Gilbert Morales

Painting . 33 x 41 x 3 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 1.2 inch

€640

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