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, A walk, Monika Rossa

Monika Rossa

Painting . 25.5 x 20.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 10 x 8.1 x 0.2 inch

€600

Painting, Snow Circle, Robert Musser

Robert Musser

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 1 inch

€328

Painting, Silent City, Robert Musser

Robert Musser

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 1 inch

€287

Fine Art Drawings, Timeless 2, Laura Spring

Laura Spring

Fine Art Drawings . 35.6 x 25.4 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14 x 10 x 0.1 inch

€137

Painting, Watermark, Robert Musser

Robert Musser

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 1 inch

€181

Print, Peace II, Xiaoyang Galas

Xiaoyang Galas

Print . 50 x 50 x 0.3 cm Print . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€337

Sculpture, Vriach, Fabrice Lettron

Fabrice Lettron

Sculpture . 42.5 x 8.5 x 8 cm Sculpture . 16.7 x 3.3 x 3.1 inch

€390

Painting, Breath, Xanda McCagg

Xanda McCagg

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 4.4 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 1.7 inch

€1,449

Print, DeathQ75, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Painting, Liliya, Victoria Jáimez

Victoria Jáimez

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3.8 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.5 inch

€1,700

Sculpture, Love…, Olivier Messas

Olivier Messas

Sculpture . 49 x 49 x 5 cm Sculpture . 19.3 x 19.3 x 2 inch

€1,500

Painting, Fluo, Ninu

Ninu

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

€500

Print, Alchimie 3, Julio Le Parc

Julio Le Parc

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€1,000

Painting, 76, Miyako Shimizu

76

Miyako Shimizu

Painting . 44 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 17.3 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€4,050

Painting, Abstract #48, Pinar Akbaba

Pinar Akbaba

Painting . 40.6 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 16 x 16 x 1 inch

€365

Print, Red Hot Skull, Dead Head

Dead Head

Print . 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Print . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€250 €225

Fine Art Drawings, Credit Limit, Nino Devdariani

Nino Devdariani

Fine Art Drawings . 34 x 37 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 13.4 x 14.6 x 0 inch

€2,000

Painting, Mental, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

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

€79

Print, Paysage, André Masson

André Masson

Print . 29 x 37 x 0.2 cm Print . 11.4 x 14.6 x 0.1 inch

€250

Painting, A beautiful day, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, I love you, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Happy flowers, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Sweet flowers, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Love flowers, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Love feelings, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Memories, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Bones, Weronika Dylag

Weronika Dylag

Painting . 40 x 40 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€800

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, Le chat, Gregory Verheecke

Gregory Verheecke

Painting . 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,800

Painting, Easy day, Michelle Kranz

Michelle Kranz

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

€3,100

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