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, Summertime, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€525 €499

Painting, Léon, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€545 €518

Fine Art Drawings, L'oiseau bleu, Maï

Maï

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€500

Sculpture, Pink Fly flamant, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 26 x 17 x 10 cm Sculpture . 10.2 x 6.7 x 3.9 inch

€270

Painting, Falcon, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.1 inch

€341

Sculpture, Bird, Anmarie Léon

Anmarie Léon

Sculpture . 43 x 18 x 18 cm Sculpture . 16.9 x 7.1 x 7.1 inch

€1,300

Painting, Love and Music, Dorit Levi

Dorit Levi

Painting . 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€4,666

Sculpture, Flying Bird  2, David Natidze

David Natidze

Sculpture . 24 x 34 x 25 cm Sculpture . 9.4 x 13.4 x 9.8 inch

€4,800

Fine Art Drawings, A Duck, Timi O

Timi O

Fine Art Drawings . 39 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.4 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€224

Painting, Favorite bird, Elena Ushanova

Elena Ushanova

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

€220

Painting, Creative Music, Dorit Levi

Dorit Levi

Painting . 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€4,666

Sculpture, Flying Bird 1, David Natidze

David Natidze

Sculpture . 33 x 26 x 25 cm Sculpture . 13 x 10.2 x 9.8 inch

€4,600

Painting, What?, Juffrouw Springtouw

Juffrouw Springtouw

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

€950

Painting, Eagle, Serhii Cherniakovskyi

Serhii Cherniakovskyi

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

€449 €336

Painting, Conductor, Dorit Levi

Dorit Levi

Painting . 50 x 36 x 3.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 14.2 x 1.4 inch

€4,666

Photography, -22, Stéphane Spach

-22

Stéphane Spach

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.5 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch

€1,000

Sculpture, Black Bird 1.2, David Natidze

David Natidze

Sculpture . 23 x 27 x 13 cm Sculpture . 9.1 x 10.6 x 5.1 inch

€4,200

Fine Art Drawings, Chouette, Muriel Salvan

Muriel Salvan

Fine Art Drawings . 49 x 28 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.3 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€280

Fine Art Drawings, La vie est belle, Tarek

Tarek

Fine Art Drawings . 37.5 x 23.4 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.8 x 9.2 x 0 inch

€550