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, Luz, Anne-Sophie Larcena

Luz

Anne-Sophie Larcena

Painting . 29 x 37 cm Painting . 11.4 x 14.6 inch

€350

Painting, Anemones, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 35 x 35 x 1.8 cm Painting . 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.7 inch

€1,000

Painting, Fleurs d'eau, Agathon

Agathon

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

€650

Painting, Iris mood, Alexandra Laskina

Alexandra Laskina

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

€823

Painting, Peonies, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

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

€1,500

Painting, Matador, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

Painting . 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€1,097

Painting, Rudbeckias, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€350

Print, Ramage P1, Sophie Duplain

Sophie Duplain

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

€300

Painting, Sunflower (1), Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

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

€1,990

Painting, Sunflower, Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

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

€1,990

Painting, Grenade, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, New garden, Dam Domido

Dam Domido

Painting . 38 x 46 x 1 cm Painting . 15 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

€1,450

Painting, Flore 200, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, Points et lignes, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, Lotus 9, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€597

Painting, Paysage 703, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, Fleur 19, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€500

Painting, Oiseau 2, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€500

Painting, Oiseau, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€500

Painting, Bird, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€500

Painting, La chambre noire, Minasmoke

Minasmoke

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

€250

Painting, Transplant, Gregg Smith

Gregg Smith

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

€700

Painting, Blue landscape, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€300

Painting, Ex nihilo, Charles Belle

Charles Belle

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

€10,000

Painting, Buddha of light, AreiRa

AreiRa

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

€850

Photography, Top guns, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 43.9 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Photography . 17.3 x 13 x 0 inch

€1,799

Painting, White Horse, Zukhra Atnasheva

Zukhra Atnasheva

Painting . 40 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€457

Sculpture, Totem fleurs de Matisse, PyB

PyB

Sculpture . 28 x 12 x 6 cm Sculpture . 11 x 4.7 x 2.4 inch

€280

Painting, Floral, Delia Solari

Delia Solari

Painting . 45 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€5,486

Painting, Les bavards, Milcheva Emilia

Milcheva Emilia

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

€450

Fine Art Drawings, N°1 - Untitled, Aditi Lago

Aditi Lago

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 28 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 11 x 0 inch

€500

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