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, Beach Study, Mark Hunter

Mark Hunter

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 1 inch

€632

Painting, Dawn, Silvia Vassileva

Silvia Vassileva

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 1 inch

€791

Painting, Butterfly Beach, John Kilduff

John Kilduff

Painting . 29.2 x 41.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.5 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€759

Painting, City port, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 24.5 x 34.5 x 2 cm Painting . 9.6 x 13.6 x 0.8 inch

€305

Painting, Sunset, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 25 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€325

Painting, Near the lake, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 39 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€230

Painting, Yellow Spring, Felicia Trales

Felicia Trales

Painting . 39.9 x 49.8 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.6 x 0.8 inch

€2,530

Fine Art Drawings, On the shore, Kordeliz

Kordeliz

Fine Art Drawings . 36.7 x 25.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.4 x 10.1 x 0 inch

€244

Painting, Morning Light, Helal Uddin

Helal Uddin

Painting . 22.9 x 31 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12.2 x 0.1 inch

€352

Painting, Nebulous, Jane Ti

Jane Ti

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

€361

Fine Art Drawings, Eastbound Trail, Bob Palmerton

Bob Palmerton

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 22.9 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 9 x 0.5 inch

€587

Painting, Snowfield, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

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

€840

Painting, Red Canyon, 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, Desert, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 39.9 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€362

Painting, Landscape, Soso Kumsiashvili

Soso Kumsiashvili

Painting . 30 x 41.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€440

Painting, Flag, Anatoly Varvarov

Anatoly Varvarov

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

€615

Painting, Babylon, Anatoly Varvarov

Anatoly Varvarov

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

€605

Painting, Wharf Shack, Timon Sloane

Timon Sloane

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 0.5 inch

€520

Painting, Boat House,, Mark Hunter

Mark Hunter

Painting . 22.9 x 48.3 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9 x 19 x 0.1 inch

€632

Painting, Sunset sea, Filomena Booth

Filomena Booth

Painting . 27.9 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€316

Painting, Apesanteur, Jean-Roch Klethi

Jean-Roch Klethi

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

€220

Photography, Love is a river, Benoit Ruff

Benoit Ruff

Photography . 42 x 29.7 x 0.2 cm Photography . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch

€800

Photography, ciel serie 2 III, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Pêcheurs, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€500

Photography, Eolienne III, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€550

Photography, Les yeux du ciel I, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Chemin, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Conversation, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Cheminées, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel serie 2 V, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel serie 2 II, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel serie 21, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel III 1, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, En route 1, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel 31, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€500

Photography, Ciel 30, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel 29, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel 28, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€500

Photography, Ciel 27, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Ciel 26, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€500

Photography, Groupe, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

Photography, Autoroute, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€600

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