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, 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, Sunny Bay, Ksenia Tsyganyuk

Ksenia Tsyganyuk

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.4 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€310

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

Sculpture, Bear coussin Admit one, Naor

Naor

Sculpture . 38 x 30 x 30 cm Sculpture . 15 x 11.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,670

Painting, Golden Air, Daria Borisova

Daria Borisova

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

€779

Painting, Amoureux, Christian Raffin

Christian Raffin

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

€690

Painting, Umano, Ljbobv

Ljbobv

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

€750

Painting, Pygargue, Mumuzepaint

Mumuzepaint

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

€560

Print, Cosmo, Rodney Haker

Rodney Haker

Print . 40 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€290

Painting, Dali bleu, Maria De Campos

Maria De Campos

Painting . 39 x 31 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.4 x 12.2 x 0.6 inch

€780

Painting, Prendre l'air, Sandra Quintin

Sandra Quintin

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

€500 €375

Painting, Circus I, Zakhar Shevchuk

Zakhar Shevchuk

Painting . 39 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€990 €743

Sculpture, ZAP, Scott Troxel

ZAP

Scott Troxel

Sculpture . 40.6 x 38.1 x 5.7 cm Sculpture . 16 x 15 x 2.25 inch

€1,900

Painting, Lotus, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

Painting . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Lava flow, Zsolt Bukta

Zsolt Bukta

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

€1,400

Print, Untitled 2, Saber (MSK)

Saber (MSK)

Print . 7 x 46 x 0.5 cm Print . 2.8 x 18.1 x 0.2 inch

€200

Print, Concept #81, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Print . 50 x 33.3 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.1 x 0 inch

€130

Painting, Village, Edgar Quispe

Edgar Quispe

Painting . 32 x 26 cm Painting . 12.6 x 10.2 inch

€380

Painting, Mathilde, Nef

Nef

Painting . 30 x 24 x 4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 1.6 inch

€500

Painting, Paysage 6, Li Dongfeng

Li Dongfeng

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

€700

Painting, Sam, Alessandra Bisi

Sam

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€245

Painting, Soko, Alessandra Bisi

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€170

Painting, Sio, Alessandra Bisi

Sio

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€170

Painting, Sel, Alessandra Bisi

Sel

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€170

Photography, Ciel 20, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 30 x 45 x 2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€600

11/32