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
Painting, Summer Noon, Iryna Bondar

Iryna Bondar

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

€500

Painting, Copper Vessels, Iryna Bondar

Iryna Bondar

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

€500

Painting, Spring Voices, Olga Petiuk

Olga Petiuk

Painting . 30 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€300

Painting, Rote Tulpen, Mela

Mela

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

€422

Painting, Lunar Echoes, Olga Petiuk

Olga Petiuk

Painting . 30 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€300

Painting, Flowers 6, Liubou Sas

Liubou Sas

Painting . 30 x 25 x 1.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.6 inch

€500

Painting, Mi amor, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€400

Painting, Lily flowers, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.8 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.7 inch

€542

Painting, Irises II, Valerijs Baida

Valerijs Baida

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

€720

Painting, Lilac, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 40 x 44.5 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 17.5 x 0.8 inch

€270

Painting, Wilting beauty, Sasha Miller

Sasha Miller

Painting . 45.75 x 34.4 x 3 cm Painting . 18 x 13.5 x 1.2 inch

€9,800

Painting, Botany 5, Nadezda Stupina

Nadezda Stupina

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

€450

Painting, Botany 3, Nadezda Stupina

Nadezda Stupina

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

€450

Painting, Summer daisies, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 35 x 25 x 1.8 cm Painting . 13.8 x 9.8 x 0.7 inch

€542

Painting, Primroses, Iryna Bondar

Iryna Bondar

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

€380

Painting, Mandarins, Lilya Volskaya

Lilya Volskaya

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

€380

Painting, Flowers, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€415

Painting, Pasqueflower, Iryna Bondar

Iryna Bondar

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

€400

Painting, Bouquet au bougeoir, Michel Maly

Michel Maly

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

€4,216 €3,795

Painting, Showery, Darina Komorowski

Darina Komorowski

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€300

Painting, Humid, Darina Komorowski

Darina Komorowski

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€300

Painting, Blue hour, Darina Komorowski

Darina Komorowski

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€300

7/9