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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Sculpture, Septième ciel, Fanjol

Fanjol

Sculpture . 32 x 27 x 24 cm Sculpture . 12.6 x 10.6 x 9.4 inch

€4,800

Print, The Three of Us, Samy Briss

Samy Briss

Print . 47.5 x 36 x 0.5 cm Print . 18.7 x 14.2 x 0.2 inch

€307

Fine Art Drawings, Folie 307, Denis Poughon

Denis Poughon

Fine Art Drawings . 26 x 13 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inch

€350

Sculpture, Aurora II, Nando

Nando

Sculpture . 34 x 28 x 10 cm Sculpture . 13.4 x 11 x 3.9 inch

€2,951

Painting, Up the Hills, Jozef Svikruha

Jozef Svikruha

Painting . 35 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€520

Fine Art Drawings, Landscape, Alfred Sobottka

Alfred Sobottka

Fine Art Drawings . 29.4 x 32.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.6 x 12.9 x 0 inch

€490

Print, Lagoon, Leszek Rózga

Leszek Rózga

Print . 32 x 24 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 inch

€700

Painting, Afa, Antonino Puliafico

Afa

Antonino Puliafico

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

€600

Painting, Accept, Iryna Rets

Iryna Rets

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

€570

Sculpture, Sentido I, Aniana Heras

Aniana Heras

Sculpture . 36.8 x 17.8 x 9.9 cm Sculpture . 14.5 x 7 x 3.9 inch

€640

Painting, La boule de pain, Pierre Sojo

Pierre Sojo

Painting . 29 x 36 x 1 cm Painting . 11.4 x 14.2 x 0.4 inch

€1,500

Painting, Static 421, Sia Aryai

Sia Aryai

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.2 inch

€913

Painting, Abandoned, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

€1,373

Print, Ubu roi VII, Roberto Matta

Roberto Matta

Print . 40 x 25 x 0.01 cm Print . 15.7 x 9.8 x 0 inch

€1,200

Sculpture, Aurora I, Nando

Nando

Sculpture . 37 x 29 x 10 cm Sculpture . 14.6 x 11.4 x 3.9 inch

€3,373

Sculpture, Amoureux, Ousmane Dermé

Ousmane Dermé

Sculpture . 34 x 10 x 10 cm Sculpture . 13.4 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch

€2,100

Painting, Floral Harmony, Grace Diehl

Grace Diehl

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.8 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.7 inch

€834

Painting, Radiant, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€361

Sculpture, P'tit Cha Cha Chat, Lolek

Lolek

Sculpture . 30.5 x 29.5 x 11 cm Sculpture . 12 x 11.6 x 4.3 inch

€3,200

Painting, Cats, Koa

Koa

Painting . 24 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€270 €189

Sculpture, Infinidad, Fabio Santori

Fabio Santori

Sculpture . 48 x 48 x 18 cm Sculpture . 18.9 x 18.9 x 7.1 inch

€1,800

Sculpture, Cha'zen, Lolek

Lolek

Sculpture . 47 x 37 x 39 cm Sculpture . 18.5 x 14.6 x 15.4 inch

€9,750

Sculpture, Spatio-temporel, Gaspard Mitz

Gaspard Mitz

Sculpture . 24 x 34 x 6.5 cm Sculpture . 9.4 x 13.4 x 2.6 inch

€700

Painting, Static 424, Sia Aryai

Sia Aryai

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.2 inch

€913

Print, Man and Bird, Annora Spence

Annora Spence

Print . 43.2 x 44.5 x 5.1 cm Print . 17 x 17.5 x 2 inch

€1,129

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