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, Douceur, Sandrine Hirson

Sandrine Hirson

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

€400

Painting, Les cœurs joyeux, Azziel

Azziel

Painting . 27 x 27 x 5 cm Painting . 10.6 x 10.6 x 2 inch

€130

Painting, Translucide, Yichao Sun

Yichao Sun

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

€2,800

Painting, Infinity VII, Karo Mkrtchyan

Karo Mkrtchyan

Painting . 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Untitled, Ghada Jamal

Ghada Jamal

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

€1,300

Sculpture, Soft power Vert, Sophie Inard

Sophie Inard

Sculpture . 32 x 25 x 10 cm Sculpture . 12.6 x 9.8 x 3.9 inch

€600

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 26 x 22 x 2 cm Painting . 10.2 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,000

Painting, Kolochava, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 20 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€542

Painting, Vague. XXX, Sia Aryai

Sia Aryai

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,111

Painting, Midday dreams, Galia Chuntova

Galia Chuntova

Painting . 50 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€1,250

Fine Art Drawings, Paysage, Patrick Lanneau

Patrick Lanneau

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€250

Sculpture, Cradle, Linda Brunker

Linda Brunker

Sculpture . 46 x 23 x 21 cm Sculpture . 18.1 x 9.1 x 8.3 inch

€5,100

Painting, Muscaris, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€600

Painting, The Invader Colors, Spaco

Spaco

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

€190

Painting, Harmony, Jacquelpersal

Jacquelpersal

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,600

Print, Collage Iconique, Ske

Ske

Print . 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Naples Walk, Melinda Patrick

Melinda Patrick

Painting . 45.7 x 45.7 x 3.8 cm Painting . 18 x 18 x 1.5 inch

€664

Sculpture, Flacon Rolex, Fred Meurice

Fred Meurice

Sculpture . 29 x 32 x 3 cm Sculpture . 11.4 x 12.6 x 1.2 inch

€425

Painting, Cameron Falls, Greg Dorosh

Greg Dorosh

Painting . 38.1 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 20 x 0.1 inch

€201

Painting, Andy Grey, Diego Barros

Diego Barros

Painting . 35 x 27 x 4 cm Painting . 13.8 x 10.6 x 1.6 inch

€1,200

Photography, Hêtre, Romain Liverato

Romain Liverato

Photography . 45 x 30 x 0.5 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€1,000

Painting, Pine grove, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 25 x 35 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,500

Painting, Fragments 5, Baboute

Baboute

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

€500

Painting, Picaflor 105, Keng Wai Lee

Keng Wai Lee

Painting . 30 x 30 x 5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 2 inch

€542

Painting, Landscape, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Painting . 24 x 34 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€130

Painting, Uva e pesche, Laura Mateare

Laura Mateare

Painting . 40.5 x 30 x 2.7 cm Painting . 15.9 x 11.8 x 1.1 inch

€1,200

Painting, Untitled, Ghada Jamal

Ghada Jamal

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

€1,300

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