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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Fine Art Drawings, In January, Kamsar Ohanyan

Kamsar Ohanyan

Fine Art Drawings . 37 x 27 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.6 x 10.6 inch

€260

Photography, Escalier, Jean-Claude ByandB

Jean-Claude ByandB

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

€400

Photography, Hugo Boss Factory, Big Daddy

Big Daddy

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

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Les inséparables, Elips

Elips

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 42 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€470

Painting, Chez Venus, Veroe

Veroe

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

€180

Photography, Chartreuse, Coralie Honnorat

Coralie Honnorat

Photography . 22 x 34 x 0.1 cm Photography . 8.7 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€200

Print, Brexit new, Olir Romanelli

Olir Romanelli

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

€70

Design, GRUFF OAK S, Un'common

Un'common

Design . 45 x 45 x 45 cm Design . 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 inch

€650

Photography, Flying away, David Tesinsky

David Tesinsky

Photography . 18.67 x 28 cm Photography . 7.4 x 11 inch

€250

Painting, Urbain 8, Nathalie Guerre

Nathalie Guerre

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

€150

Print, Melies, Olir Romanelli

Olir Romanelli

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

€50

Photography, Shot Sprint, Elena Bandurka

Elena Bandurka

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

€361

Photography, Shot Spring, Elena Bandurka

Elena Bandurka

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

€361

Photography, Shot spring, Elena Bandurka

Elena Bandurka

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

€361

Painting, Untitled, Winifred Wilson

Winifred Wilson

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 1 inch

€226

Photography, Traces, India, Hervé All

Hervé All

Photography . 28 x 18.63 cm Photography . 11 x 7.3 inch

€200

Photography, Mirage, India, Hervé All

Hervé All

Photography . 18.63 x 28 cm Photography . 7.3 x 11 inch

€200

Design, Coi Wood Raw oak, Un'common

Un'common

Design . 42 x 32 x 32 cm Design . 16.5 x 12.6 x 12.6 inch

€600

Print, Yellow sub, Olir Romanelli

Olir Romanelli

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

€70

Photography, Sans titre, Philip Bernard

Philip Bernard

Photography . 17 x 38 x 0.1 cm Photography . 6.7 x 15 x 0 inch

€540

Fine Art Drawings, Bremer Ansicht, Yulia Pugacheva

Yulia Pugacheva

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 21 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€280

Photography, Hidden Katherine, Clotilde.MJ

Clotilde.MJ

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€440

Fine Art Drawings, Self-Portrait 20.127, Arthur Hent

Arthur Hent

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€150