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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Photography, Rebirth III, Shine Huang

Shine Huang

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,641

Photography, Rebirth II, Shine Huang

Shine Huang

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,641

Photography, Rebirth I, Shine Huang

Shine Huang

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,641

Photography, Artichoke II, Shine Huang

Shine Huang

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,641

Painting, Jazz III, Saviour Juma

Saviour Juma

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

€150

Painting, Feu follet, Nat Stresser

Nat Stresser

Painting . 50 x 50 x 2.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, For my Dad, Michael Alan

Michael Alan

Fine Art Drawings . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11 x 14 x 0.04 inch

€3,300

Print, Untitled, Elena Paredes

Elena Paredes

Print . 24 x 29 x 0.1 cm Print . 9.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€444

Sculpture, Vase Maya, Isabelle Braud

Isabelle Braud

Sculpture . 35 x 19 x 19 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 7.5 x 7.5 inch

€450

Painting, Spring-III, Stanislav Bojankov

Stanislav Bojankov

Painting . 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€180 €162

Fine Art Drawings, Dans mes bras, Pascal Marlin

Pascal Marlin

Fine Art Drawings . 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€220

Painting, Heart VI, Stanislav Bojankov

Stanislav Bojankov

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

€170

Painting, Heart V, Stanislav Bojankov

Stanislav Bojankov

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

€170

Painting, Dots on Abstract.., JP Malot

JP Malot

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

€600

Painting, Head, Karl-Karol Chrobok

Karl-Karol Chrobok

Painting . 48 x 34 x 0.1 cm Painting . 18.9 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€600

Print, Untitled, Will Faber

Will Faber

Print . 28 x 18 cm Print . 11 x 7.1 inch

€777

Painting, Calm Bustle, Nino Karumidze

Nino Karumidze

Painting . 41 x 32 x 2.5 cm Painting . 16.1 x 12.6 x 1 inch

€750

Fine Art Drawings, Identité, Aline Khieu

Aline Khieu

Fine Art Drawings . 41.8 x 29.8 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€540

Fine Art Drawings, Wall, Jean-Jacques André

Jean-Jacques André

Fine Art Drawings . 49 x 39 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.3 x 15.4 x 0.2 inch

€330

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