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, Saving Audrey, tizlu

tizlu

Painting . 50 x 35 x 0.2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

€450

Painting, Ex-voto Andy Warhol, OJA

OJA

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

€1,900

Photography, Karl, Bridgeman

Bridgeman

Photography . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€240

Print, Paint In Black, Mr Sly

Mr Sly

Print . 42 x 42 x 0.2 cm Print . 16.5 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€350

Painting, Pink Frida, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€105

Sculpture, Time is Money, Ske

Ske

Sculpture . 14.5 x 33 x 5 cm Sculpture . 5.7 x 13 x 2 inch

€249

Photography, David Bowie, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

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

€2,460

Sculpture, Now i'm Free, Ske

Ske

Sculpture . 14.5 x 33 x 5 cm Sculpture . 5.7 x 13 x 2 inch

€249

Print, Juxtapose, Mr Brainwash

Mr Brainwash

Print . 34.9 x 39.9 x 3 cm Print . 13.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€26,159

Painting, David Bowie, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Print, Marilyn, Dugudus

Dugudus

Print . 50 x 50 cm Print . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€90

Painting, Jim Morrison, Aranka's Art

Aranka's Art

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

€399

Painting, Love abduction, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Photography, JPR vs JPR, Gerry Cranham

Gerry Cranham

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

€1,900

Photography, Bowie Space Oddity, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

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

€2,460

Photography, Kiss, NYC, Bob Gruen

Bob Gruen

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 x 1.3 cm Photography . 16 x 20 x 0.5 inch

€2,369

Photography, Brassaï, André Villers

André Villers

Photography . 38 x 27 x 1 cm Photography . 15 x 10.6 x 0.4 inch

€900

Photography, Bowie Backstage, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

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

€2,460

Painting, Harrison Ford Star Wars, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, Falling in love, Yuvi Gold

Yuvi Gold

Painting . 50 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1 inch

€1,967

Photography, Björk, Renaud Monfourny

Renaud Monfourny

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

€1,500

Painting, Heir, Melbourne Aquino

Melbourne Aquino

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

€485

Painting, Frida, Lili Tao

Lili Tao

Painting . 41 x 33 x 2.5 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 1 inch

€1,300

Photography, Magic Basquiat, Marie Serruya

Marie Serruya

Photography . 29 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€210

Print, Nina, Fred Ebami

Fred Ebami

Print . 50 x 40 cm Print . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

€900

Painting, The king of pop, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Frida Kahlo, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Print, Elvis, Ivan Messac

Ivan Messac

Print . 50 x 50 x 1 cm Print . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€190

Painting, Pablo Picasso, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, Freddie M. Pink, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Freddie Mercury Queen, PyB

PyB

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

€200

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