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, Sea No22(P), Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Fine Art Drawings . 29.5 x 19.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.6 x 7.8 x 0 inch

€229

Painting, Beach, Lauren Acton

Lauren Acton

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 2 inch

€549

Painting, Daydream, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€690 €552

Painting, On Duty, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€690 €552

Painting, Sunny Beach, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 1.8 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.7 inch

€457

Painting, Marine 3, Edith Heim

Edith Heim

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

€120

Painting, Beach Study, Mark Hunter

Mark Hunter

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 1 inch

€640

Painting, Butterfly Beach, John Kilduff

John Kilduff

Painting . 29.2 x 41.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.5 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€768

Painting, Gravity, Anatoly Varvarov

Anatoly Varvarov

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

€850

Painting, Rocky shore, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 26.9 x 46 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

€314

Painting, By the sea, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€290

Painting, Marsfeld L, Mark Hellbusch

Mark Hellbusch

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

€490

Photography, Beach time, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Photography . 27 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.6 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Dafne, Rosa Agenjo

Rosa Agenjo

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

€700

Painting, Gitana del mar, Rosa Agenjo

Rosa Agenjo

Painting . 37 x 37 x 0.1 cm Painting . 14.6 x 14.6 x 0 inch

€700

Photography, Vacances, Mario Tarantino

Mario Tarantino

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€622

Painting, Bateaux en laisse, Izys

Izys

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

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Triptych My Thailand 2, Dizlarka

Dizlarka

Fine Art Drawings . 37.5 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.8 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€320

Fine Art Drawings, Triptych My Thailand 1, Dizlarka

Dizlarka

Fine Art Drawings . 37.5 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.8 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, Ocean sunset, Nicolas Issaly

Nicolas Issaly

Photography . 45 x 30 x 3 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€660

Painting, Cold sea, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 39.9 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€371

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