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
Sculpture, Velvet, Nano Nasty

Nano Nasty

Sculpture . 40 x 40 x 7 cm Sculpture . 15.7 x 15.7 x 2.8 inch

€600

Painting, Blooms IV, Anastassia Skopp

Anastassia Skopp

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

€350

Painting, Blue Peace, M. Koeur

M. Koeur

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

€1,000

Painting, La posture, L'Aimant Libre

L'Aimant Libre

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2.5 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 1 inch

€400

Painting, Rudbeckias, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€350

Painting, Le Homard, Koa

Koa

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

€270 €189

Painting, Snowy track, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€350

Painting, Divine, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 3.8 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 1.5 inch

€449

Painting, Horizon 3, Gina Vor

Gina Vor

Painting . 30 x 24 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch

€200

Painting, Edison's project, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€350

Painting, 11-2021, Angel De la Peña

Angel De la Peña

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

€1,500

Painting, Wind, Tinatin Bakhtadze

Tinatin Bakhtadze

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

€950

Painting, Boussole, Jonathan Pradillon

Jonathan Pradillon

Painting . 21 x 26 x 0.1 cm Painting . 8.3 x 10.2 x 0 inch

€100

Painting, Pistil, Jonathan Pradillon

Jonathan Pradillon

Painting . 24 x 30.5 x 1.5 cm Painting . 9.4 x 12 x 0.6 inch

€170

Painting, Emprise, Jonathan Pradillon

Jonathan Pradillon

Painting . 24 x 35 x 0.4 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.8 x 0.2 inch

€160

Painting, Spring at Setun, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 29.8 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.7 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€3,200

Painting, Blue landscape, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€300

Painting, A few dwellings, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, Claim 202, Mark Hellbusch

Mark Hellbusch

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

€450

Painting, Green nature, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€400

Painting, White bird, Natalie Shiporina

Natalie Shiporina

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

€1,496