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, Yellow Rose, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, La route des vacances, Hico

Hico

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, Coin de rue, Patrice Layre

Patrice Layre

Painting . 42 x 34 cm Painting . 16.5 x 13.4 inch

€500

Painting, Red Roses, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Photography, Rue Mouffetard, Uwe Ommer

Uwe Ommer

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,627

Painting, No limits, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, City by night 2, Yaki Li

Yaki Li

Painting . 41 x 28 x 0.2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€600

Painting, Morning View, Sona Adalyan

Sona Adalyan

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€290

Painting, On Grant, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 35.5 x 45.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 14 x 18 x 0.2 inch

€836

Painting, Z Airport, Levon Fljyan

Levon Fljyan

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

€800

Photography, In flight II, Frank Williams

Frank Williams

Photography . 20 x 30 x 0.2 cm Photography . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€300

Painting, Flowers, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Photography, Dont Walk, Karol Kállay

Karol Kállay

Photography . 30 x 30 cm Photography . 11.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, NYC, Stanislas Liban

NYC

Stanislas Liban

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.01 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€800

Painting, Millenium St Pauls, Richard K

Richard K

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,272

Painting, Balade en forêt, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Photography, Beyrouth, José Nicolas

José Nicolas

Photography . 40 x 40 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€850

Fine Art Drawings, Landscape, Myriam Bering

Myriam Bering

Fine Art Drawings . 31.5 x 41 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.4 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€400

Painting, Bank Street 2, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 30.4 x 30.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€300

Painting, The Queens Walk, Richard K

Richard K

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,272

Painting, Gurzuf, Boris Serdyuk

Boris Serdyuk

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€210

Painting, Wild West End, David Tycho

David Tycho

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

€1,500

Painting, Green Forest, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Fine Art Drawings, Flat mégalopole, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

€220 €187

Fine Art Drawings, Mégalopole A4, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

€220 €187

Fine Art Drawings, Mega City, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

€220 €187

Painting, Tres, Mónica Castanys

Mónica Castanys

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,700