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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Fine Art Drawings, Portrait, Leo Guida

Leo Guida

Fine Art Drawings . 44 x 31 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 17.3 x 12.2 x 0 inch

€460

Painting, Pekin Girl, Stinkfish

Stinkfish

Painting . 44 x 44 x 1 cm Painting . 17.3 x 17.3 x 0.4 inch

€944

Painting, ID163, Aivars Kisnics

Aivars Kisnics

Painting . 21 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€250

Painting, Mr.Hope en couleur, MrHope

MrHope

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

€140

Painting, Guitarista, Juan Ripolles

Juan Ripolles

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

€6,319

Painting, Hypnose de l'avent, Carotte

Carotte

Painting . 45 x 35 x 2.5 cm Painting . 17.7 x 13.8 x 1 inch

€150

Painting, Harmony, Jacquelpersal

Jacquelpersal

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

€1,600

Painting, Le bain de soleil, Jéko

Jéko

Painting . 27 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€1,300

Painting, Sous-bois, Lionel le Jeune

Lionel le Jeune

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

€500

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

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Josep Marí Sintes

Josep Marí Sintes

Fine Art Drawings . 33 x 26 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 13 x 10.2 x 0 inch

€666

Painting, Pink Portrait, Kathleen Ney

Kathleen Ney

Painting . 38.1 x 30.5 x 0.8 cm Painting . 15 x 12 x 0.3 inch

€591

Painting, Performat 2., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 27.9 x 19.6 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11 x 7.7 x 0 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Snoop Dogg, Aurel

Aurel

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.6 x 0.1 inch

€400

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

€1,274

Fine Art Drawings, Cartwheel Galaxy, Stankey

Stankey

Fine Art Drawings . 27 x 27 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.6 x 10.6 x 0.2 inch

€1,700

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€800

Painting, Untitled, Adam Sabhan

Adam Sabhan

Painting . 40 x 40 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€2,500

Painting, Monjes Camboya, M. Muro

M. Muro

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

€2,000

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, Chanoir x Reese, Chanoir

Chanoir

Sculpture . 30 x 21 x 6 cm Sculpture . 11.8 x 8.3 x 2.4 inch

€1,400

Painting, Brothers, Jef Aérosol

Jef Aérosol

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

€2,700

Painting, Goldorak, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Painting, Cartagena, Maritza Bernal

Maritza Bernal

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

€1,200

Print, DEATHMC176, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199 €150

Print, DEATHQ703, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199 €150

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, The Queens Walk, Richard K

Richard K

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

€1,274

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, Jokers Are Not Ugly, Hongda

Hongda

Painting . 30 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,000

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