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, Tendresse, Christian Raffin

Christian Raffin

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

€690

Painting, Naples Walk, Melinda Patrick

Melinda Patrick

Painting . 45.7 x 45.7 x 3.8 cm Painting . 18 x 18 x 1.5 inch

€670

Photography, Monte Carlo (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

€2,735

Photography, The Butlers (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

€2,735

Photography, Lecture, Alexis Duclos

Alexis Duclos

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

€680

Print, October, Martin Bigum

Martin Bigum

Print . 50 x 35 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.8 inch

€525

Painting, Untitled IX, Rachel Isadora

Rachel Isadora

Painting . 29.2 x 44.5 x 5.1 cm Painting . 11.5 x 17.5 x 2 inch

€866

Print, Hongui, Gaelle Beyaert

Gaelle Beyaert

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

€340

Print, Lecture, Julia Chausson

Julia Chausson

Print . 50 x 33 cm Print . 19.7 x 13 inch

€90

Painting, Insiemi 3, Dores Sacquegna

Dores Sacquegna

Painting . 21 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Kiss, Nina Narimanishvili

Nina Narimanishvili

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€950

Print, Tulip Path, Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert

Print . 38 x 36 cm Print . 15 x 14.2 inch

€250

Painting, Suspicion, Lianne Kocks

Lianne Kocks

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

€1,000

Print, Piper, Pietro Morando

Pietro Morando

Print . 48.5 x 34 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.1 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€250

Fine Art Drawings, Dames en conversation, John Reitz

John Reitz

Fine Art Drawings . 36.5 x 29 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.4 x 11.4 x 0.1 inch

€1,025

Photography, Flashback, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

Photography . 50 x 40 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

€800

Painting, Landes 3, AE2

AE2

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

€300

Photography, Les abysses, Irène Jonas

Irène Jonas

Photography . 50 x 50 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€2,200

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

Painting, Kolochava, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 20 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€547

Painting, Shadowplay, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

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

€500

Photography, Still, Nilgun Sezgin

Nilgun Sezgin

Photography . 45 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€225

Painting, Le chien Bleu, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€450

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