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…

Read more
Painting, Sunny beach, Klimenko Olena

Klimenko Olena

Painting . 50 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€465

Photography, Sentinel, Mario Tarantino

Mario Tarantino

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

€572

Painting, Sand cooking, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€371

Painting, Beach Car, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 2 inch

€764

Photography, Golden, Samos, Nilgun Sezgin

Nilgun Sezgin

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€225

Painting, Nuit claire, Phil

Phil

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

€300

Print, Pacific Palms, Pellarose

Pellarose

Print . 30 x 30 x 0.05 cm Print . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€190

Painting, Castelo 2, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€271

Painting, Porquerolles plage, ZiB

ZiB

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

€720

Painting, Castelo, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€270

Painting, Creation 2, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€383

Painting, Rescue Jacket, Gary Westall

Gary Westall

Painting . 30 x 24.1 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.5 x 0.2 inch

€430

Painting, Bord de mer, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

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

€300

Painting, Equestrienne, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€421

Painting, Wet dogs, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€399

Painting, Sisters, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€400

Painting, Wet dogs, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€403

Painting, Sunrise, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€399

Painting, Empty coast, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 30 x 39.9 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€306

Painting, Fouras, Carole Leprince

Carole Leprince

Painting . 33 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€260

Photography, La Mujer, Emil Farber

Emil Farber

Photography . 26.5 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.4 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€400

Photography, Mouvement, Irène Jonas

Irène Jonas

Photography . 19 x 28 x 0.1 cm Photography . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

€900

Photography, Attente, Irène Jonas

Irène Jonas

Photography . 19 x 28 x 0.1 cm Photography . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

€900

Painting, Tramontane, Carole Leprince

Carole Leprince

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

€300

Fine Art Drawings, Bleu Océanique, Gabriel Riesnert

Gabriel Riesnert

Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 34 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.4 x 13.4 x 0.1 inch

€490 €441

7/8