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, Port, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€210

Painting, Place animée, B. Ciappa

B. Ciappa

Painting . 31 x 25 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12.2 x 9.8 x 0.2 inch

€1,086

Painting, Gardasee, Richard Fuchs

Richard Fuchs

Painting . 26.5 x 42.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 10.4 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch

€1,455

Painting, Two selves, Winifred Otowa

Winifred Otowa

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 3.8 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 1.5 inch

€1,076

Painting, Coastal Flora, Despa Hondros

Despa Hondros

Painting . 46 x 36 x 4 cm Painting . 18.1 x 14.2 x 1.6 inch

€1,300

Painting, Au delà, Florence Boré

Florence Boré

Painting . 40 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€1,000

Painting, Decadent, Augustina Droze

Augustina Droze

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

€3,795

Painting, Désert, Sylvie Pulur

Sylvie Pulur

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

€1,560

Painting, Evening, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 24 x 34 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.4 x 0.8 inch

€405

Painting, Dame à la lecture, Eloise

Eloise

Painting . 27.5 x 22.5 x 2 cm Painting . 10.8 x 8.9 x 0.8 inch

€1,347

Painting, Nostalgie, Jose Royo

Jose Royo

Painting . 46 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€6,900

Painting, Tulip Patch, Hunt Slonem

Hunt Slonem

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

€14,000

Painting, Jessie, Ksana Krasá

Ksana Krasá

Painting . 40 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€2,300

Painting, China culture landscape 2, Lu Ma

Lu Ma

Painting . 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€2,000 €1,800

Painting, Untitled, Ghada Jamal

Ghada Jamal

Painting . 45 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,350

Painting, Titicaca, Mahjoub Ben Bella

Mahjoub Ben Bella

Painting . 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€5,000

Painting, Still Life, Felicita Frai

Felicita Frai

Painting . 38.5 x 44 x 1 cm Painting . 15.2 x 17.3 x 0.4 inch

€3,400

Painting, Harlequin Macaw, Kane Mclay

Kane Mclay

Painting . 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€950

Painting, Aurore, Jean-Claude Bertrand

Jean-Claude Bertrand

Painting . 50 x 40 x 4.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.8 inch

€1,800

Painting, Night lights, Viktor Gutsul

Viktor Gutsul

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

€269

Painting, Ohne Titel, Gerd Kanz

Gerd Kanz

Painting . 24 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€800

Painting, Lisa, Xavi Figueras

Xavi Figueras

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

€1,000

Painting, Visages, Pierre Henry

Pierre Henry

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€1,023

Painting, Fleurs n°2, Georges Darel

Georges Darel

Painting . 46 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 18.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€892

Painting, Game Plan, Debbie Pacheco

Debbie Pacheco

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 3.8 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 1.5 inch

€888

Painting, Goodbye 2, Luca Brandi

Luca Brandi

Painting . 44 x 35 x 0.5 cm Painting . 17.3 x 13.8 x 0.2 inch

€600

Painting, New Strokes, Nathan Chantob

Nathan Chantob

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

€2,900

Painting, Bitch 2, Nolwenn Samson

Nolwenn Samson

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

€1,200

Painting, Wave, Lusie Schellenberg

Lusie Schellenberg

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€897

Painting, Beach day, Ivo Petrov

Ivo Petrov

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

€950

Painting, Morning Life, Christine Seiterle

Christine Seiterle

Painting . 50 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€2,287 €1,944

Painting, Her path, Carlos Diaz

Carlos Diaz

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

€1,950

Painting, The far shores, Paul B

Paul B

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

€993

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