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, Subtlety II, Viktoria Ganhao

Viktoria Ganhao

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

€300

Painting, Untitled, Antonio de Vargas

Antonio de Vargas

Painting . 36 x 36 x 0.2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 14.2 x 0.1 inch

€750

Painting, Sans titre II, Talon

Talon

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

€600

Sculpture, Envol, Vincent Ochs

Vincent Ochs

Sculpture . 31 x 32 x 16 cm Sculpture . 12.2 x 12.6 x 6.3 inch

€2,160

Painting, Black galaxy, Ana Hefco

Ana Hefco

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

€605

Sculpture, Nudo, Fanny Finkelman Szyller

Fanny Finkelman Szyller

Sculpture . 49 x 49 x 9 cm Sculpture . 19.3 x 19.3 x 3.5 inch

€897

Painting, Untitled 9, Tarek Butayhi

Tarek Butayhi

Painting . 45 x 25 cm Painting . 17.7 x 9.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Splash Bronze, Ninu

Ninu

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 cm Painting . 8 x 12 inch

€500

Painting, Neptune, Sofiane Benyahia

Sofiane Benyahia

Painting . 27 x 19 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.8 inch

€3,360

Fine Art Drawings, Entre el pantano, Carlos Velilla

Carlos Velilla

Fine Art Drawings . 46 x 36 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18.1 x 14.2 x 0 inch

€1,400

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Josep Gibernau

Josep Gibernau

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 32 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 12.6 inch

€888

Painting, Chips (gold), Qué

Qué

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

€299

Painting, Blue, Zakhar Shevchuk

Zakhar Shevchuk

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

€1,050

Painting, Composition 301, Jun Peng Wu

Jun Peng Wu

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

€600

Sculpture, Arches refuge, Sylvie Groud

Sylvie Groud

Sculpture . 25 x 32 x 25 cm Sculpture . 9.8 x 12.6 x 9.8 inch

€915

Painting, Isthme, Timothée

Timothée

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

€1,200

Painting, Untitled, Pietro Beretta

Pietro Beretta

Painting . 32.5 x 24.5 x 0.2 cm Painting . 12.8 x 9.6 x 0.1 inch

€750

Painting, Untitled, Antonio de Vargas

Antonio de Vargas

Painting . 36 x 36 x 0.2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 14.2 x 0.1 inch

€750

Painting, Sans titre, Talon

Talon

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

€600

Painting, Jamaica, Mark David Smith

Mark David Smith

Painting . 41.9 x 39.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16.5 x 15.5 x 0.1 inch

€350

Sculpture, Dans les veines, Vincent Ochs

Vincent Ochs

Sculpture . 33 x 22 x 27 cm Sculpture . 13 x 8.7 x 10.6 inch

€2,160

Painting, Position XXI., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 25.2 x 19.5 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.9 x 7.7 x 0 inch

€200

Sculpture, House, Petar Kras

Petar Kras

Sculpture . 42 x 27 x 11 cm Sculpture . 16.5 x 10.6 x 4.3 inch

€3,555

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