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, House on top, Andriy Klishyn

Andriy Klishyn

Painting . 31.5 x 41.5 x 2 cm Painting . 12.4 x 16.3 x 0.8 inch

€400

Painting, Rural Charm, Kamo Ohanyan

Kamo Ohanyan

Painting . 35 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€436

Photography, Londres I, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 45 x 30 x 1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€600

Print, Paese, Tino Stefanoni

Tino Stefanoni

Print . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€300

Print, Casali, Tino Stefanoni

Tino Stefanoni

Print . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€300

Print, Casalino, Tino Stefanoni

Tino Stefanoni

Print . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Blue Roof, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€727

Painting, Canyon Farm, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 0.2 inch

€781

Painting, Farm, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.2 inch

€590

Painting, Abandoned, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€636

Painting, Vindicator, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€636

Painting, Insider, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 25.4 x 33 x 0.5 cm Painting . 10 x 13 x 0.2 inch

€581

Painting, The Barn, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€727

Painting, Selo - N, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

Painting . 29 x 29 x 2 cm Painting . 11.4 x 11.4 x 0.8 inch

€160

Painting, Selo - Moirans, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

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

€300

Painting, Morning, Kamsar Ohanyan

Kamsar Ohanyan

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

€450

Painting, From the Yard, Milan Laciak

Milan Laciak

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

€510

Photography, Le Pommier, Elizabeth H

Elizabeth H

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

€400

Painting, Chez SoCal, Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Painting . 45.7 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 18 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€245

Painting, Sunny Room, Kamsar Ohanyan

Kamsar Ohanyan

Painting . 25 x 35 x 3 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch

€450

Photography, Welcome, Fabrizio Alzati

Fabrizio Alzati

Photography . 20 x 27 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.6 inch

€350

Photography, Archi bois, Marick

Marick

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

€400

Fine Art Drawings, Tohoku Japan, Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€188

Fine Art Drawings, Toscana, Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Fine Art Drawings . 45.7 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€265

Photography, Milky Horizon, Kat Zhivetin

Kat Zhivetin

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€272

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Robert Delval

Robert Delval

Fine Art Drawings . 50.8 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 20 x 16 x 1 inch

€114

Fine Art Drawings, Nomad 04, Eulogia Merle

Eulogia Merle

Fine Art Drawings . 47 x 32 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18.5 x 12.6 inch

€350

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