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, Untitled A01, Ta Rui

Ta Rui

Painting . 30 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,076

Painting, Victoria, Gaëlle Wagner

Gaëlle Wagner

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

€690

Painting, In the city, Anna Artemieva

Anna Artemieva

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

€448

Painting, Carnival, Alexander Dobrodiy

Alexander Dobrodiy

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

€900

Painting, Evolución, Fanny Arro

Fanny Arro

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€550

Painting, Let it be, Vild Art

Vild Art

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€1,050

Painting, Rebirth, Rosa Cruz

Rosa Cruz

Painting . 30 x 22 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.1 inch

€600

Painting, Untitled, Hayduk Smbatyan

Hayduk Smbatyan

Painting . 29.5 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 11.6 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€250

Print, Prayer, Xiaoyang Galas

Xiaoyang Galas

Print . 50 x 50 x 4.1 cm Print . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€440

Painting, Campagne 02, Isabelle Janier

Isabelle Janier

Painting . 24 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€475

Painting, Clarté, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

Painting . 30 x 30 x 2.4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.9 inch

€150

Painting, Brume matinale, Sophie Dumont

Sophie Dumont

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

€1,100

Painting, Boum !, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

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

€300

Fine Art Drawings, Silent Drift, KatriTa

KatriTa

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€269

Painting, Oryx, Irina Sazonova

Irina Sazonova

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.4 inch

€897

Painting, Watch Your Step, Craig Moran

Craig Moran

Painting . 35.6 x 45.7 x 0.3 cm Painting . 14 x 18 x 0.1 inch

€484

Painting, Lemonade, Gaëlle Wagner

Gaëlle Wagner

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

€690

Painting, Cascade #5, Jade R.

Jade R.

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

€700

Painting, Arboleda, Vanitira

Vanitira

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

€900

Print, Rock-bound, Rani R

Rani R

Print . 27 x 34 x 0.1 cm Print . 10.6 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€602

Painting, H1#2023, Stephan Laplanche

Stephan Laplanche

Painting . 33 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Monde rouge, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

Painting . 40 x 50 x 2.4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.9 inch

€350

Painting, Josephine, Gaëlle Wagner

Gaëlle Wagner

Painting . 30 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€320

Fine Art Drawings, Luventus 3, Anastacia Kevich

Anastacia Kevich

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 40 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€807

Painting, New Life, Fanny Arro

Fanny Arro

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

€650

Print, Sans-titre, Antoni Tapies

Antoni Tapies

Print . 35.2 x 25.2 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.9 x 9.9 x 0 inch

€850

Painting, Kakapo, Irina Sazonova

Irina Sazonova

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

€1,345

Painting, The oniric bird, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Boa Me, Ara Deinde

Ara Deinde

Painting . 45.7 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting . 18 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€269