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
Photography, Saudade, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€719

Photography, Yves Saint-Laurent, OverSide

OverSide

Photography . 45 x 45 x 0.2 cm Photography . 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch

€300

Photography, Untitled #3, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, Silent mourner, Shulan Wang

Shulan Wang

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

€1,800

Print, La zone, Jules Pascin

Jules Pascin

Print . 19 x 28 x 0.01 cm Print . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

€200

Photography, Saint Laurent, Bridgeman

Bridgeman

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

€240

Photography, City Range #45, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, City Range #57, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, City Range #55, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, City Range #52, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, Children in Boat, 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, Untitled #1, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, Girls, Bridgeman

Bridgeman

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

€240

Photography, City Range #46, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, Iman, Thierry Le Gouès

Thierry Le Gouès

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€4,200

Photography, La mirada, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

€719

Photography, Picasso (1), Gjon Mili

Gjon Mili

Photography . 30 x 24 x 0.05 cm Photography . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€250

Photography, A cold cliff, Nino Alavidze

Nino Alavidze

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

€456

Painting, Hidden Story 5., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€280

Photography, Untitled #10, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, El barbudo, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

€960

Photography, Brad Pitt, Franck Leclerc

Franck Leclerc

Photography . 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€590

Photography, Le circassien, Michel Verna

Michel Verna

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch

€500

Photography, Rue Mouffetard, Uwe Ommer

Uwe Ommer

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

€1,641

Photography, Hand, Bridgeman

Bridgeman

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

€240

Photography, Rebalance, Ali Buhamad

Ali Buhamad

Photography . 40 x 30 x 5 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 2 inch

€1,000

Photography, Bum Chain, Tony Potts

Tony Potts

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

€1,732

Photography, Peter Gabriel, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

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

€1,975

Photography, El duende, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

€1,147

Photography, Kids with Cows, 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, 24h du Mans, Jacques Violet

Jacques Violet

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€400

Sculpture, Snake, Pere Aragay

Pere Aragay

Sculpture . 50 x 20 x 40 cm Sculpture . 19.7 x 7.9 x 15.7 inch

€2,500

Photography, Abstinence, Rodolfo Franchi

Rodolfo Franchi

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

€560

Photography, Car, Bridgeman

Car

Bridgeman

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

€240

Fine Art Drawings, Patti, Nef

Nef

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 inch

€200

8/26