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, Don't paint, Keny

Keny

Painting . 37 x 42 x 3 cm Painting . 14.6 x 16.5 x 1.2 inch

€400

Painting, Boule 9, Yann Guinchan

Yann Guinchan

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

€160

Painting, Boule 8, Yann Guinchan

Yann Guinchan

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

€160

Painting, Boule 4, Yann Guinchan

Yann Guinchan

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

€160

Painting, Boule 1, Yann Guinchan

Yann Guinchan

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

€160

Painting, Drôle de dame, LN Le Pape

LN Le Pape

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

€160

Painting, L'amoureux - Ecology, Nacks

Nacks

Painting . 27.5 x 27.5 x 4 cm Painting . 10.8 x 10.8 x 1.6 inch

€400

Painting, Juliane, Karo Trass

Karo Trass

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

€120

Painting, Léo #02, Thomas Meillet

Thomas Meillet

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

€340

Painting, Léo #03, Thomas Meillet

Thomas Meillet

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

€440

Painting, Kwam #26, Thomas Meillet

Thomas Meillet

Painting . 42 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€460

Painting, Kwam #28, Thomas Meillet

Thomas Meillet

Painting . 30 x 24 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

€420

Painting, Kwam #29, Thomas Meillet

Thomas Meillet

Painting . 30 x 24 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

€420

Painting, Kwam #31, Thomas Meillet

Thomas Meillet

Painting . 30 x 24 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

€420

Painting, Obey, Jérôme Mesnager

Jérôme Mesnager

Painting . 42 x 32 x 1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Premier Baiser, C215

C215

Painting . 33 x 43 x 0.1 cm Painting . 13 x 16.9 x 0 inch

€3,000

Sculpture, Eglantine, Virginie Matz

Virginie Matz

Sculpture . 37.5 x 15 x 10 cm Sculpture . 14.8 x 5.9 x 3.9 inch

€920

Sculpture, Penseur Rodin colors, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 27 x 24 x 6 cm Sculpture . 10.6 x 9.4 x 2.4 inch

€260

Painting, Map Fragment, Gripe

Gripe

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

€550

Painting, Danse Klimt, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Painting, Picasso girls, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Painting, Sex courbet, Spaco

Spaco

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

€200

Painting, Queen Bardot, Spaco

Spaco

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

€200

Painting, Sexy bath, Spaco

Spaco

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

€200

Painting, Jacky kennedy banksy, Spaco

Spaco

Painting . 40 x 33 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13 x 1.2 inch

€240

Painting, Dream girl, Spaco

Spaco

Painting . 33 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 13 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€240

Painting, Cabaret, Spaco

Spaco

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

€240

Painting, Wall Girl & ours, Spaco

Spaco

Painting . 40 x 33 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13 x 1.2 inch

€240

Painting, Polnareff, Spaco

Spaco

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

€200

Painting, Love Ibiza! 2011, JP Malot

JP Malot

Painting . 50 x 50 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€2,600

Painting, Girl, cArye

cArye

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

€200

Painting, Body girl, cArye

cArye

Painting . 30 x 43 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

€240

Painting, Lady snake, Mat Elbé

Mat Elbé

Painting . 35 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€180

Painting, Body 1, Ayoka Zahir

Ayoka Zahir

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.01 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€75

Painting, Bones, Ayoka Zahir

Ayoka Zahir

Painting . 41.5 x 29.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 16.3 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€175

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