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, Peonies, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

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

€1,500

Painting, Nature morte, Georges Darel

Georges Darel

Painting . 38.5 x 25.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.2 x 10 x 0.2 inch

€1,017

Painting, Sunflower, Elijah Olanase

Elijah Olanase

Painting . 35.6 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 14 x 14 x 1 inch

€406

Painting, Nature's Brushwork, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€253 €215

Painting, Les braves, Milcheva Emilia

Milcheva Emilia

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

€500 €450

Painting, Still Life, Vasily Korkishko

Vasily Korkishko

Painting . 50 x 39.5 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,470

Painting, Hydrangea, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 50 x 30 x 1.8 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 0.7 inch

€903

Painting, Dahlia Flowers, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1.8 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

€858

Painting, Dandelion, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 40 x 50 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€722

Painting, Lilac Blossoms, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 45 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 17.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€993

Painting, Flowers, Stanislav Bojankov

Stanislav Bojankov

Painting . 47 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting . 18.5 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€400

Painting, Fiery Rose, Max Skoblinsky

Max Skoblinsky

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€700

Painting, Wildflowers, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 40 x 35 x 1.8 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13.8 x 0.7 inch

€812

Painting, Choosing the one, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€600

Painting, Sunflowers, Nelli Tsenova

Nelli Tsenova

Painting . 34 x 17 x 2 cm Painting . 13.4 x 6.7 x 0.8 inch

€580

Painting, Iris mood, Alexandra Laskina

Alexandra Laskina

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

€812

Painting, If I were Belle, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€515

Painting, Merci Mario, Géraldine G.

Géraldine G.

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Rose Garden, Hrach Baghdasaryan

Hrach Baghdasaryan

Painting . 30 x 20 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

€181 €153

Painting, Le sécateur, Sandra Paris

Sandra Paris

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Ivory Rose Harmony, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€271 €230

Painting, Rose Symphony, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€271

Painting, Blue tulips, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€350

Painting, Sola 1, Sola Puig

Sola Puig

Painting . 27 x 22 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 8.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Puple still life, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Window, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 48 x 48 x 2 cm Painting . 18.9 x 18.9 x 0.8 inch

€2,200

Painting, Narcissus, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 40 x 43 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

€1,800