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, Fleur 3, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

Painting . 40 x 28 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€750

Painting, A Spring Gesture, Vlas Ayvazyan

Vlas Ayvazyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€253 €215

Painting, Green 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, Lilac, Mishurovsky Victor

Mishurovsky Victor

Painting . 41 x 49 x 2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 19.3 x 0.8 inch

€250

Painting, Lush lilac, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€345

Painting, Porcelain, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

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

€1,800

Painting, Magnolia, Helen Shukina

Helen Shukina

Painting . 35 x 25 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch

€361

Painting, Golden Petals, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€325

Painting, Flower for mummy, Yulia Nova

Yulia Nova

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

€632

Painting, Daisies, Boris Serdyuk

Boris Serdyuk

Painting . 50 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€270

Painting, Cornflowers, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Tulips, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 41 x 31 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.1 x 12.2 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, White roses, Catherine Clare

Catherine Clare

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

€850

Photography, Lotus, Stéphane Spach

Stéphane Spach

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

€1,100

Painting, Blue still life, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, Salon, Juan Li

Juan Li

Painting . 38 x 23 x 1 cm Painting . 15 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

€700

Print, Gemela 1, Gustavo Rimada

Gustavo Rimada

Print . 45.7 x 27.9 cm Print . 18 x 11 inch

€250

Painting, Daisies, Oksana Ivanyuk

Oksana Ivanyuk

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

€270

Painting, Vivid Elegance, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€180 €153

Print, Scilla, Michele Cascella

Michele Cascella

Print . 50 x 35 x 1 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€300

Painting, Roses, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 36 x 28 x 3 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Spring lilac, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

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

€325 €276

Painting, Wisteria, Mily ART

Mily ART

Painting . 30 x 25 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch

€316

Painting, Iris, Evgeniya Brits

Evgeniya Brits

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

€500

Painting, Clavel Azul, Evgeniya Brits

Evgeniya Brits

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

€700