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, La Mouette, Noël Granger

Noël Granger

Fine Art Drawings . 25 x 27 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.8 x 10.6 inch

€130

Painting, Oiseau sur l'espoir, M.Cros

M.Cros

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

€200

Painting, Visions, Johnathan Ball

Johnathan Ball

Painting . 50.8 x 48.3 cm Painting . 20 x 19 inch

€3,588

Print, Owl, Lucio Forte

Owl

Lucio Forte

Print . 29 x 21 x 0.3 cm Print . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€89

Painting, Phoenix 2, Lillia Baudo

Lillia Baudo

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

€350

Photography, Silence, Laura Makabresku

Laura Makabresku

Photography . 20 x 30 cm Photography . 7.9 x 11.8 inch

€350

Painting, Autumn, Vitaly Duhnevich

Vitaly Duhnevich

Painting . 44 x 32 x 2 cm Painting . 17.3 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch

€210

Painting, Crumbling Ice, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

€742

Painting, Phoenix 3, Lillia Baudo

Lillia Baudo

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

€350

Painting, Diptico, Patopalomo

Patopalomo

Painting . 50 x 49 x 0.24 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.3 x 0.1 inch

€450

Painting, The bird, Ivan Pylypenko

Ivan Pylypenko

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

€314

Painting, Bird, Ivan Pylypenko

Ivan Pylypenko

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

€314

Painting, LOVE BIRDS, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 1 inch

€2,243

Painting, Blue bird, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 1 inch

€2,243

Painting, Phoenix 1, Lillia Baudo

Lillia Baudo

Painting . 35 x 35 x 3 cm Painting . 13.8 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch

€430

Painting, Blue water lilies, ZiB

ZiB

Painting . 33 x 46 x 1.7 cm Painting . 13 x 18.1 x 0.7 inch

€576

Painting, Vers le ciel, Jeong Min Lee

Jeong Min Lee

Painting . 40 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1 inch

€220

Painting, Esaque, Thierry Robert

Thierry Robert

Painting . 20 x 40 x 0.1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Sea gulls, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 40.9 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€326

Painting, Blue bird-1, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 38.1 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€3,140

Painting, Blue bird-2, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 38.1 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€3,140

Painting, Peacock-1, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 38.1 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€3,140

Painting, Peacock-2, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 38.1 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€3,140

Painting, Peacock-3, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 38.1 x 30.5 x 3 cm Painting . 15 x 12 x 1.2 inch

€3,140

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