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, Creool 1, Maurice Kummer

Maurice Kummer

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

€600

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

Painting, Sans Titre, Daniel Cayo

Daniel Cayo

Painting . 33 x 24 x 3 cm Painting . 13 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

€850

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, 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

Painting, Printemps, Claude Carretta

Claude Carretta

Painting . 46 x 46 x 1 cm Painting . 18.1 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

€350

Painting, Translucide, Yichao Sun

Yichao Sun

Painting . 40 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€2,800

Painting, Malaga, Sophie Hors

Sophie Hors

Painting . 46 x 38 x 3 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 1.2 inch

€900 €675

Painting, Beach Club, Otist

Otist

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

€800

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