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, The Office, Irfan Ajvazi

Irfan Ajvazi

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

€1,500

Photography, Angry Dockers, Arthur Steel

Arthur Steel

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

€895

Print, DeathP566, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Photography, Projection, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

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

€950

Print, DeathF1297, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Painting, Let's Dance, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Print, DeathA535, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Print, DeathJ946, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Print, DeathF889, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Painting, Angel Breitling, Spaco

Spaco

Painting . 40 x 33 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13 x 1.2 inch

€240

Painting, Degas Dance, Spaco

Spaco

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

€170

Painting, Dentellière  Vermeer, Spaco

Spaco

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

€170

Painting, La poupée, Chloé Mugler

Chloé Mugler

Painting . 29 x 39 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.4 x 15.4 x 0 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Trump at Home, Blankman

Blankman

Fine Art Drawings . 32 x 32 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.6 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€1,500

Print, Famiglia, Colomba Pino

Colomba Pino

Print . 49 x 35 x 1 cm Print . 19.3 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€390

Photography, Equilibre, Alexis Duclos

Alexis Duclos

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

€680

Painting, Camp, Ivan Peev

Ivan Peev

Painting . 40 x 29 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, Tango, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€400

Painting, The Pool, Irfan Ajvazi

Irfan Ajvazi

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

€2,000

Photography, Touch (XS), Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography . 15 x 20 inch

€2,272

Print, DeathF1649, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€199

Painting, Mirando al mar, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 38 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 15 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,000

Photography, El beso, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

€714

Painting, Dance, Jozef Chyzy

Jozef Chyzy

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

€600

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