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, First Aid, SeiLeise

SeiLeise

Painting . 30 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€570

Photography, Angry Dockers, Arthur Steel

Arthur Steel

Photography . 33 x 41 x 1 cm Photography . 13 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch

€895

Fine Art Drawings, Mes nuits apaches, Topolino

Topolino

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€240

Painting, Rituals, Justyna Kuklo

Justyna Kuklo

Painting . 41 x 33 x 3 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 1.2 inch

€1,460

Fine Art Drawings, Prières, Nathalie Grenier

Nathalie Grenier

Fine Art Drawings . 49.5 x 39.5 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.5 x 15.6 x 0 inch

€750

Painting, Going home, Veronica Schmitt

Veronica Schmitt

Painting . 36 x 28 x 2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11 x 0.8 inch

€500

Sculpture, Sedientos, Rodo Padilla

Rodo Padilla

Sculpture . 18 x 37 x 38 cm Sculpture . 7.1 x 14.6 x 15 inch

€3,400

Painting, El risitas, Eduardo Candil

Eduardo Candil

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

€600

Print, Jet Set, Peter Doig

Peter Doig

Print . 35.6 x 30.5 x 1 cm Print . 14 x 12 x 0.4 inch

€5,500

Print, Ballet, Valerio Adami

Valerio Adami

Print . 37 x 27.5 x 0.05 cm Print . 14.6 x 10.8 x 0 inch

€500

Painting, Climbing high, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,440

Painting, Ferragosto, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,280

Painting, 31st of June, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,280

Painting, Untitled, Ilia Balavadze

Ilia Balavadze

Painting . 50 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€700

Photography, Varkala, Shank Arte

Shank Arte

Photography . 20 x 30 x 1 cm Photography . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€400

Fine Art Drawings, La Rata, Stef Basias

Stef Basias

Fine Art Drawings . 47.5 x 33.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18.7 x 13.2 x 0.1 inch

€295

Sculpture, Le rêve, Etienne

Etienne

Sculpture . 26 x 27 x 27 cm Sculpture . 10.2 x 10.6 x 10.6 inch

€24,800

Photography, Sana, Cécile Baldewyns

Cécile Baldewyns

Photography . 50 x 50 x 0.04 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€700

Painting, Vendedor Hanoy, M. Muro

M. Muro

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

€2,000

Painting, Step Forward, Leo Ray

Leo Ray

Painting . 34 x 49 x 0.5 cm Painting . 13.4 x 19.3 x 0.2 inch

€510

Painting, Boyaca, Maritza Bernal

Maritza Bernal

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

€1,200

Print, Chamois Cabin, Peter Doig

Peter Doig

Print . 35.6 x 30.5 x 0.01 cm Print . 14 x 12 x 0 inch

€5,900

Fine Art Drawings, Farmers, Paul Emile Colin

Paul Emile Colin

Fine Art Drawings . 25 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€300

Photography, Varna Pool, Robert Edward

Robert Edward

Photography . 48.3 x 33 cm Photography . 19 x 13 inch

€155

Painting, Hippopotamus, Giorgi Melikidze

Giorgi Melikidze

Painting . 40.2 x 40.2 x 2 cm Painting . 15.8 x 15.8 x 0.8 inch

€1,500

Painting, The artist, Gegham Hunanyan

Gegham Hunanyan

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

€319 €255

Painting, Daydream, Marina Lukianova

Marina Lukianova

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€912

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