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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Photography, Cloud, Amrita Bilimoria

Amrita Bilimoria

Photography . 45.7 x 45.7 x 0.5 cm Photography . 18 x 18 x 0.2 inch

€1,641

Photography, Le Saule, Elizabeth H

Elizabeth H

Photography . 40 x 28 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11 inch

€500

Photography, Mur 008, Sophie Bassouls

Sophie Bassouls

Photography . 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography . 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch

€750

Photography, Flashback, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

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

€800

Painting, Intrigue, Jonathan Pradillon

Jonathan Pradillon

Painting . 31.3 x 22.7 x 2 cm Painting . 12.3 x 8.9 x 0.8 inch

€200

Photography, Te veo, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography . 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€960

Photography, Rendez-vous #1, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

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

€800

Photography, Boys Playing, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,376

Print, Saba, Anna Gawlikowska

Anna Gawlikowska

Print . 28 x 23 cm Print . 11 x 9.1 inch

€200

Photography, Portrait #9, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

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

€800

Photography, Dancers, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.3 cm Photography . 14 x 11 x 0.5 inch

€4,376

Photography, Dohaya, Luz

Luz

Photography . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€890

Photography, Cactus Yeti, Francesco Mussida

Francesco Mussida

Photography . 30 x 24 x 0.3 cm Photography . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch

€650

Photography, Fall, Tenesh Webber

Tenesh Webber

Photography . 28 x 28 cm Photography . 11 x 11 inch

€2,415

Photography, Sans 1, Lucien Hervé

Lucien Hervé

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

€3,000

Photography, Sara, Angelique Boissiere

Angelique Boissiere

Photography . 40 x 40 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€550

Photography, Well Heeled, Arthur Steel

Arthur Steel

Photography . 33 x 41 x 0.01 cm Photography . 13 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€895

Photography, Anissa, Gérard Uféras

Gérard Uféras

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

€1,800

Photography, Morning, Luke Simmonds

Luke Simmonds

Photography . 43 x 30 cm Photography . 16.9 x 11.8 inch

€500

Photography, Keith Richards, John Rowlands

John Rowlands

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Photography . 16 x 20 x 2 inch

€1,231

Photography, DeliRiUs, Louis Blanc

Louis Blanc

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

€1,400

Photography, Just JAZZ, Karol Kállay

Karol Kállay

Photography . 41 x 50 cm Photography . 16.1 x 19.7 inch

€3,200

Photography, Portrait #1, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

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

€800

Photography, Superman Parade, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,376

Photography, ContemplatlO, Louis Blanc

Louis Blanc

Photography . 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€1,000

Photography, Ensayo, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

€960

Photography, Chasm Lake, Tom Reed

Tom Reed

Photography . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Photography . 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€160

Photography, Endless life, Shulan Wang

Shulan Wang

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

€1,400

Photography, Brassai, André Villers

André Villers

Photography . 38 x 27 x 1 cm Photography . 15 x 10.6 x 0.4 inch

€900