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, Sakura, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

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

€1,200

Photography, Silent mourner, Shulan Wang

Shulan Wang

Photography . 45 x 30 x 1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€1,800

Painting, Dream, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€298

Painting, Sicario, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

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

€723

Painting, Peonies, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

Painting . 27.9 x 38.1 cm Painting . 11 x 15 inch

€542

Photography, Blue notes, Catherine Fabre

Catherine Fabre

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

€450

Painting, Ivory Rose Harmony, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€271 €230

Painting, Rose Symphony, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€271

Painting, Embrace, Ella Jensen

Ella Jensen

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

€307

Painting, Gesco, Alina O’Dwyer

Alina O’Dwyer

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

€768

Painting, Spring - 231025-1, Padelah

Padelah

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

€260

Painting, Calavera III, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Calavera IV, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Calavera V, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Calavera-vi, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Calavera VII, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Calavera VIII, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Ex nihilo, Charles Belle

Charles Belle

Painting . 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch

€10,000

Painting, Blue tulips, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€350

Painting, Colourful spring, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, Sola 1, Sola Puig

Sola Puig

Painting . 27 x 22 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 8.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Magical autumn, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€600

Painting, Summer path, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Red poppies, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Puple still life, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Window, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 48 x 48 x 2 cm Painting . 18.9 x 18.9 x 0.8 inch

€2,200

Painting, Autumn night out, Kako

Kako

Painting . 31.8 x 41 x 3 cm Painting . 12.5 x 16.1 x 1.2 inch

€2,100

Painting, Narcissus, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 40 x 43 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

€1,800

Painting, Daisy Field, Hunt Slonem

Hunt Slonem

Painting . 25.4 x 20.3 cm Painting . 10 x 8 inch

€6,950

Painting, Ange ou démon, Christy

Christy

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

€990

Sculpture, Grey Gingko, Kuno Vollet

Kuno Vollet

Sculpture . 50 x 28 x 28 cm Sculpture . 19.7 x 11 x 11 inch

€4,400

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