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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Sculpture, Pink Dous, Olga Radionova

Olga Radionova

Sculpture . 50 x 16 x 16 cm Sculpture . 19.7 x 6.3 x 6.3 inch

€900

Painting, Spring, Svetlana Saprykina

Svetlana Saprykina

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

€545

Painting, Schnittblumen 03, Low Bros

Low Bros

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

€3,200

Photography, Pivoine, Dimitri Roubichou

Dimitri Roubichou

Photography . 30 x 30 cm Photography . 11.8 x 11.8 inch

€400

Sculpture, Mashroom, Erekle Tsuladze

Erekle Tsuladze

Sculpture . 15 x 30 x 15 cm Sculpture . 5.9 x 11.8 x 5.9 inch

€3,000

Painting, Printemps II, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Lotus 18, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 49 x 19 x 1 cm Painting . 19.3 x 7.5 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Live in my soul 2, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 3.8 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 1.5 inch

€454

Painting, Tondo II, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

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

€3,000

Painting, Tondo I, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

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

€3,000

Painting, Printemps, Claude Carretta

Claude Carretta

Painting . 46 x 46 x 1 cm Painting . 18.1 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

€350

Photography, Jonquilles, Stéphane Spach

Stéphane Spach

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

€900

Painting, Green Roses, Micowel

Micowel

Painting . 20.3 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, Blooming spring, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€600

Painting, Grand Slam, Gregg Smith

Gregg Smith

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

€900

Fine Art Drawings, Rest, Aleksandra Kalisz

Aleksandra Kalisz

Fine Art Drawings . 19 x 28 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

€370

Fine Art Drawings, Mallow, Kateryna Ocheredko

Kateryna Ocheredko

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€182

Fine Art Drawings, Dame en fleur, Flo. M

Flo. M

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 21 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.2 inch

€200

Painting, 0218-10, Tracey Adams

Tracey Adams

Painting . 48 x 32 cm Painting . 18.9 x 12.6 inch

€1,560

Painting, Salon Il, Juan Li

Juan Li

Painting . 37 x 23 x 1 cm Painting . 14.6 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

€650

Sculpture, Apple - Blanche, Li Lihong

Li Lihong

Sculpture . 28 x 28 x 28 cm Sculpture . 11 x 11 x 11 inch

€2,500

Fine Art Drawings, Deconstruction, Nagsoul

Nagsoul

Fine Art Drawings . 26 x 36 x 3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.2 x 14.2 x 1.2 inch

€500

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