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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Print, DEATHMC176, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Print, DEATHQ703, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Painting, Guitarista, Juan Ripolles

Juan Ripolles

Painting . 33 x 45.7 x 2.5 cm Painting . 13 x 18 x 1 inch

€6,407

Painting, Lungomare, Silvia Rossi

Silvia Rossi

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

€900

Fine Art Drawings, The Fish II, Marianna Oklejak

Marianna Oklejak

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 41.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€370

Painting, Physalis, Gilbert Pauli

Gilbert Pauli

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

€1,076

Sculpture, Le Soleil, Philippe Rude

Philippe Rude

Sculpture . 33 x 20 x 5 cm Sculpture . 13 x 7.9 x 2 inch

€1,280

Print, Third Eye, Jibé

Jibé

Print . 50 x 50 cm Print . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€80

Sculpture, Memory, Goga Gomareli

Goga Gomareli

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

€43,000

Painting, Bird Game, Hongda

Hongda

Painting . 50 x 30 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

€1,250

Painting, Camelia, Antonella Scolfaro

Antonella Scolfaro

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€800

Painting, Captain Love, Ewen Gur

Ewen Gur

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

€980

Painting, Umano, Ljuba Ananina

Ljuba Ananina

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

€750

Photography, Yamu Rimbu, Wylda Bayrón

Wylda Bayrón

Photography . 45 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,200

Painting, Donald Duck, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 38 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€50

Painting, Mother 2, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€175

Painting, Panier, Manuela Ferreira

Manuela Ferreira

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

€230

Print, Hybrid, Grow Up

Grow Up

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.05 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Sunflowers, Ivan T.

Ivan T.

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

€535

Painting, Summer, Ahmed Art

Ahmed Art

Painting . 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Lenny, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Lightpackers, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 32 x 24 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Car Flames, Spencer Harris

Spencer Harris

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 22.9 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 9 x 0.8 inch

€1,785

Painting, Golden Air, Daria Borisova

Daria Borisova

Painting . 40.6 x 40.6 x 4 cm Painting . 16 x 16 x 1.6 inch

€778

Painting, Amoureux, Christian Raffin

Christian Raffin

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€690

Sculpture, Teddy Hermes pop pink, Naor

Naor

Sculpture . 35 x 26 x 25 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 10.2 x 9.8 inch

€682

Sculpture, Tweety II, Angela Gomes

Angela Gomes

Sculpture . 30 x 20 x 17 cm Sculpture . 11.8 x 7.9 x 6.7 inch

€14,500

Painting, Umano, Ljbobv

Ljbobv

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

€750

Print, DeathQ2331, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 32 x 45 x 0.1 cm Print . 12.6 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€199

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