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…

Read more
Fine Art Drawings, Les Jumeaux, Evelyne Postic

Evelyne Postic

Fine Art Drawings . 27 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.6 x 8.3 inch

€550

Painting, Au fil de la loire, Khatis

Khatis

Painting . 20 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€350

Painting, Eyes, Nathalie Cubéro

Nathalie Cubéro

Painting . 31 x 31 x 0.2 cm Painting . 12.2 x 12.2 x 0.1 inch

€390

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Jacques Pajak

Jacques Pajak

Fine Art Drawings . 33.5 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 13.2 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€4,800

Painting, Violine seduction, Christy

Christy

Painting . 42 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€1,000

Painting, N°07, Masayoshi Hanawa

Masayoshi Hanawa

Painting . 30 x 21 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.3 inch

€750

Fine Art Drawings, Amos, Gabrielle Pool

Gabrielle Pool

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

€665

Painting, Geisha azurée, Christy

Christy

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

€980

Painting, L'indien, Christy

Christy

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

€980

Painting, Jane, Sandra Detourbet

Sandra Detourbet

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

€700

Fine Art Drawings, 20200526 Happy Hours, Yaki Li

Yaki Li

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€185

Fine Art Drawings, Mon olivier !, Noël Granger

Noël Granger

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€120

Fine Art Drawings, Want from me, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Fine Art Drawings . 43.2 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 17 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€275

Painting, Floral delicacy, Christy

Christy

Painting . 48 x 36 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18.9 x 14.2 x 0.2 inch

€1,220

Fine Art Drawings, Dior, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

Fine Art Drawings . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€733

Fine Art Drawings, Gucci Fall, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 22.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 9 x 0.1 inch

€779

Fine Art Drawings, Gareth Pugh, Manuel Santelices

Manuel Santelices

Fine Art Drawings . 22.9 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€550

Painting, N°06, Masayoshi Hanawa

Masayoshi Hanawa

Painting . 30 x 21 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.3 inch

€750

Fine Art Drawings, Immerse with Lotus, Becky Lam

Becky Lam

Fine Art Drawings . 44 x 24 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 17.3 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch

€1,300

Fine Art Drawings, Nomade 01, Eulogia Merle

Eulogia Merle

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 20 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 7.9 inch

€350

Print, Armoiries, Bruno Roudil

Bruno Roudil

Print . 32 x 24 x 2 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€360

Painting, Exquisite seduction, Christy

Christy

Painting . 42 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€1,000

Fine Art Drawings, Echi senza parole II, Ivana Urso

Ivana Urso

Fine Art Drawings . 48 x 33 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18.9 x 13 x 0.2 inch

€190

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Tarek Butayhi

Tarek Butayhi

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

€1,000

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Tarek Butayhi

Tarek Butayhi

Fine Art Drawings . 37 x 27 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.6 x 10.6 inch

€1,300

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Tarek Butayhi

Tarek Butayhi

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 8.3 inch

€900

18/31