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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Photography, En azules, Tere Duro

Tere Duro

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

$598

Photography, Maïs, Sébastien Chauchot

Sébastien Chauchot

Photography . 35 x 40 x 1 cm Photography . 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$419

Photography, Miedo (S), Streety

Streety

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

$299

Photography, Agon #3, George Mayer

George Mayer

Photography . 30 x 23 cm Photography . 11.8 x 9.1 inch

$864

Photography, Géants, Bertrand Desprez

Bertrand Desprez

Photography . 48 x 40 cm Photography . 18.9 x 15.7 inch

$778

Photography, L'ombre est là (M), Streety

Streety

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$419

Photography, April in Paris, Alexis Duclos

Alexis Duclos

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

$814

Photography, Hana04_5062, Yasuo Kiyonaga

Yasuo Kiyonaga

Photography . 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19 x 13 x 0 inch

$718

Photography, Piments danse, Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner

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

$359

Print, Loup, Sylvie Schambill

Sylvie Schambill

Print . 32 x 21 x 0.1 cm Print . 12.6 x 8.3 x 0 inch

$419

Print, Concept #99, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Print . 50 x 33.3 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.1 x 0 inch

$383

Photography, L'ombre est là (S), Streety

Streety

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

$299

Photography, Ganga Talao, Jean-Guy Nakars

Jean-Guy Nakars

Photography . 20 x 37.5 x 0.1 cm Photography . 7.9 x 14.8 x 0 inch

$621

Photography, Garden 1, Nicholas Winter

Nicholas Winter

Photography . 40 x 40 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

$1,173

Photography, Esperanza, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

$867

Photography, S'Agaró, Arantza NT

Arantza NT

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.01 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

$230

Photography, Escape, Mario Tarantino

Mario Tarantino

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$724

Print, Lapin, Sylvie Schambill

Sylvie Schambill

Print . 31.5 x 20 x 0.1 cm Print . 12.4 x 7.9 x 0 inch

$419

Photography, Vieille dame, Bogdan Kotewicz

Bogdan Kotewicz

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$981

Print, Phases, Cajuca

Cajuca

Print . 42 x 29.7 x 0.3 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0.1 inch

$162

Photography, Art Street, Michel Tréhet

Michel Tréhet

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

$945

Photography, Arcoíris, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 32.3 x 43.1 x 0.1 cm Photography . 12.7 x 17 x 0 inch

$1,913

Print, Atomic Bardot, Batik

Batik

Print . 50.8 x 50.8 x 0 cm Print . 20 x 20 x 0.01 inch

$1,107

Photography, Gate 1, Nicholas Winter

Nicholas Winter

Photography . 40 x 40 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

$1,173

Print, Concept #3, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Print . 50 x 33.3 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.1 x 0 inch

$383

Photography, Porcelain Hand, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 46 x 46 x 0.2 cm Photography . 18.1 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

$616

Photography, Soeurs, Juliette Royer

Juliette Royer

Photography . 31.9 x 20.5 x 0.5 cm Photography . 12.6 x 8.1 x 0.2 inch

$132

Photography, Soft Mornings, Arantza NT

Arantza NT

Photography . 45 x 30 x 0.01 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

$239