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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Photography, Blue Blondie, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Mondriaan, Joseph Kosuth

Joseph Kosuth

Photography - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$1,081

Photography, No smoking, Zhao Bandi

Zhao Bandi

Photography - 50 x 50 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 inch

$304

Photography, Dolce Vita, Yves Hayat

Yves Hayat

Photography - 24 x 36 cm Photography - 9.4 x 14.2 inch

$2,672

Print, Colorisa, Diego Ritmo

Diego Ritmo

Print - 35 x 50 cm Print - 13.8 x 19.7 inch

$206

Photography, Garden I, Alex Mader

Alex Mader

Photography - 30.4 x 24 x 0.1 cm Photography - 12 x 9.4 x 0 inch

$364

Photography, Platonic Moon, Franz West

Franz West

Photography - 30 x 42.7 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 16.8 x 0.4 inch

$1,822

Photography, Sightseeing, Jamie Lluch

Jamie Lluch

Photography - 35.6 x 30.5 cm Photography - 14 x 12 inch

$972

Photography, The Glance, Paul J Bucknall

Paul J Bucknall

Photography - 45.7 x 45.7 x 0 cm Photography - 18 x 18 x 0.01 inch

$690

Photography, VNGH, Sebastian Riemer

Sebastian Riemer

Photography - 46 x 35 x 0.2 cm Photography - 18.1 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

$5,466

Photography, Abandon, Maximilien Diaz

Maximilien Diaz

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$972

Photography, Arles 23-12(A), Matt Frenot

Matt Frenot

Photography - 40 x 32 x 0.02 cm Photography - 15.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

$595

Photography, Strata # 202506, Paul Snell

Paul Snell

Photography - 50 x 7.5 x 11 cm Photography - 19.7 x 3 x 4.3 inch

$2,786

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

$2,786

Photography, David Bowie, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,988

Photography, David Bowie, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,988

Photography, Bowie Space Oddity, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,988

Photography, Bowie In Suit, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,988

Photography, Bowie Backstage, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,988

Photography, John Boorman, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$729

Photography, Spike Lee, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$729

Photography, Sean Connery, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$729

Photography, Tom Novembre, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$729

Photography, Abbé Pierre, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$729

Photography, Willem Dafoe, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$729

Photography, Wolinski, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 30 x 20 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 inch

$304

Photography, Poolside Ladies, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography - 31 x 41 x 0.01 cm Photography - 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

$2,769

Print, Flowers, Takashi Murakami

Takashi Murakami

Print - 49 x 42 x 1 cm Print - 19.3 x 16.5 x 0.4 inch

$5,466

Photography, Magic Warhol, Marie Serruya

Marie Serruya

Photography - 29 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

$200

Photography, Rocky Horror, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Queen Reflected, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Queen Album Cover, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Pink Debbie Harry, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Lou Reed, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Freddie Mercury, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399

Photography, Freddie Mercury, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,399