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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Print, Rolex Monkey, Death NYC

Death NYC

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

€300

Print, Untitled, Studio Abawé

Studio Abawé

Print . 42 x 29.5 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.6 inch

€49

Photography, Moon, Bridgeman

Bridgeman

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

€240

Sculpture, Rex lux, Looki

Looki

Sculpture . 40 x 30 x 25 cm Sculpture . 15.7 x 11.8 x 9.8 inch

€7,400

Painting, N°07, Masayoshi Hanawa

Masayoshi Hanawa

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

€750

Painting, Herencias, Sancho Medina

Sancho Medina

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€720

Sculpture, Patinette, Pascal Billard

Pascal Billard

Sculpture . 50 x 30 x 20 cm Sculpture . 19.7 x 11.8 x 7.9 inch

€1,240

Painting, Move III, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

€273

Painting, Gulliver, Alexander Daniloff

Alexander Daniloff

Painting . 22 x 26 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 10.2 x 0.1 inch

€340 €272

Painting, Prosit, Alexander Daniloff

Alexander Daniloff

Painting . 27 x 37 x 0.1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 14.6 x 0 inch

€260

Painting, Paesaggio, Alexander Daniloff

Alexander Daniloff

Painting . 31 x 40 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€390 €312

Painting, Traviata, Alexander Daniloff

Alexander Daniloff

Painting . 49 x 29 x 0.5 cm Painting . 19.3 x 11.4 x 0.2 inch

€390 €312

Print, Armoiries, Bruno Roudil

Bruno Roudil

Print . 32 x 24 x 2 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€360

Sculpture, La grotte aux ours, Wabé

Wabé

Sculpture . 50 x 35 x 30 cm Sculpture . 19.7 x 13.8 x 11.8 inch

€4,500

Painting, Stella, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 43 x 43 x 0.4 cm Painting . 16.9 x 16.9 x 0.2 inch

€345 €328

Painting, Rêverie, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€179 €171

Painting, La lyre, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 32 x 32 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12.6 x 12.6 x 0.2 inch

€189 €180

Painting, The Guardian, Helen Spoon

Helen Spoon

Painting . 35 x 25 x 0.5 cm Painting . 13.8 x 9.8 x 0.2 inch

€410

Painting, N°06, Masayoshi Hanawa

Masayoshi Hanawa

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

€750

Painting, Mutation, Brigitte Derbigny

Brigitte Derbigny

Painting . 32 x 24 x 0.2 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch

€350

Print, Paysage 2, Bruno Roudil

Bruno Roudil

Print . 32 x 24 x 2 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€360

Print, La Provence, Bruno Roudil

Bruno Roudil

Print . 32 x 24 x 2 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€360

Painting, N°4, Masayoshi Hanawa

Masayoshi Hanawa

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

€750

Painting, Sunset, Daniil Litvinov

Daniil Litvinov

Painting . 41 x 29 x 1 cm Painting . 16.1 x 11.4 x 0.4 inch

€275

Sculpture, Faunesse, Lucie De Syracuse

Lucie De Syracuse

Sculpture . 25.5 x 15 x 25 cm Sculpture . 10 x 5.9 x 9.8 inch

€600

Painting, Welcome!, Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

Painting . 30 x 25 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch

€650

Painting, Tedmu, Stefano Mazzolini

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Tecma, Stefano Mazzolini

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, La lyre, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€119 €114

Print, Papa Poule, Mister Pee

Mister Pee

Print . 47 x 37 cm Print . 18.5 x 14.6 inch

€140