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, Touaregs, Marcos Zrihen

Marcos Zrihen

Painting . 10 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 3.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€90

Painting, L'arbre rouge, Autonne

Autonne

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

€800

Painting, Masque, Pascal Marlin

Pascal Marlin

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

€450

Painting, Contemplation, Nastya Prairie

Nastya Prairie

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

€1,509

Painting, Unspoken, Liza Altman

Liza Altman

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 1.8 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.7 inch

€1,065

Painting, The Bow, Marian Williams

Marian Williams

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€250

Painting, Blue Car, Marian Williams

Marian Williams

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€250

Painting, Scène 62, Mea Ambrozo

Mea Ambrozo

Painting . 46 x 27 x 4 cm Painting . 18.1 x 10.6 x 1.6 inch

€3,600

Painting, I love you teddy, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Mona Lisa, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

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

€506

Painting, Mal ajusté, Eric Doisy

Eric Doisy

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

€1,000

Painting, Jesus, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Queen, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Aube I, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 50 x 20 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

€500

Painting, Aube II, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 50 x 20 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

€500

Painting, Embracing Autumn, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

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

€195 €156

Painting, Adriann, Hugues Candaës

Hugues Candaës

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

€1,260

Painting, Love me tender, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Berry wine, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

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

€444

Fine Art Drawings, Harmony, Hanna Sidorowicz

Hanna Sidorowicz

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€980

Painting, Gorom, Maarten Demmink

Maarten Demmink

Painting . 27 x 48 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch

€1,500

Painting, Ce qui rassure, Sophie Hors

Sophie Hors

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

€450

Painting, Zoe, Virginie Clement

Zoe

Virginie Clement

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

€500

Painting, Wine tasting, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

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

€444

Painting, Sea walk, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

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

€450

Painting, Automne, Thomas Groslier

Thomas Groslier

Painting . 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€600

Painting, Graffiti Evolution 12, Disek

Disek

Painting . 46 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€800

Painting, Pic nic, Luigi Iona

Luigi Iona

Painting . 32 x 32 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€130

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