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, Winter lotus, AreiRa

AreiRa

Painting . 20 x 29 x 1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.4 x 0.4 inch

€500

Painting, Mother and child, AreiRa

AreiRa

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Humanity, AreiRa

AreiRa

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Sbc 198, Susan Cantrick

Susan Cantrick

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

€610

Painting, Home garden, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€270

Painting, Sunny day, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€235

Painting, Village view, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 30 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€215

Painting, Forest pond, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 19 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 7.5 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€185

Painting, Organic 3, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 30 x 30 x 4.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.8 inch

€800

Painting, Organic 1, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 30 x 30 x 4.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.8 inch

€800

Painting, Stalk, Roberto Fonfria

Roberto Fonfria

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

€1,639

Sculpture, Exit, Trash

Trash

Sculpture . 48 x 24 x 2 cm Sculpture . 18.9 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€400

Painting, Elizabeth, Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

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

€700

Painting, Lake Home, Melinda Patrick

Melinda Patrick

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 3.8 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 1.5 inch

€348

Painting, Water lily, Hoang Phuong

Hoang Phuong

Painting . 30 x 39.9 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€546

Painting, Regnéville, Nicole B.

Nicole B.

Painting . 26 x 33 x 0.1 cm Painting . 10.2 x 13 x 0 inch

€550

Painting, Abstract No 58, Gina Vor

Gina Vor

Painting . 39 x 29 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 11.4 x 0.1 inch

€200

Painting, Campagne I, Jun Peng Wu

Jun Peng Wu

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€600

Fine Art Drawings, Dancers, Nicola Simbari

Nicola Simbari

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 22 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 8.7 x 0 inch

€750

Painting, Enfants, Pascal Marlin

Pascal Marlin

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€450 €383

Photography, Aleja, Grégoire Beraud

Grégoire Beraud

Photography . 30 x 20 x 2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

€450

Painting, A2603, Thierry Benzaid

Thierry Benzaid

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

€300