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, Geisha royale, Christy

Christy

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

€770

Print, Printemps, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Print . 42 x 30 x 0.01 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€89

Print, La chambre, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Print . 30 x 21 x 0.01 cm Print . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€59 €57

Print, Mon ami, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Print . 26 x 21 x 0.01 cm Print . 10.2 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€59 €57

Print, Rêverie, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Print . 30 x 21 x 0.01 cm Print . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€59 €57

Print, Cendrillon, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Print . 42 x 30 x 0.01 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€89 €85

Print, Troïka, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Print . 42 x 30 x 0.01 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€89 €85

Fine Art Drawings, Place de l'Etoile, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 26 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 10.2 x 0 inch

€85

Painting, Plongeon, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.01 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Léviathan, Catherine Clare

Catherine Clare

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

€600

Painting, Contemplation, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Harmonie, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€200

Painting, Composition, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 41.5 x 29.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 16.3 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€300

Fine Art Drawings, Emotion 20201210, Yaki Li

Yaki Li

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Emotion 20200831, Yaki Li

Yaki Li

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€185

Fine Art Drawings, Gli Intoccabili, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Fine Art Drawings . 20.5 x 31 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.1 x 12.2 x 0 inch

€130

Painting, Doux regard de soie, Christy

Christy

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

€770

Painting, REF 30-19  - Carnaval, Jeanne

Jeanne

Painting . 41 x 33 x 1.5 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.6 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Colón, Rodrigo Spinel

Rodrigo Spinel

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€540

Fine Art Drawings, Droiture, Muriel Deumie

Muriel Deumie

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€280 €252

Painting, REF 12-20 - Exotisme, Jeanne

Jeanne

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

€250

Painting, Albver, Steliana Mocanu

Steliana Mocanu

Painting . 32 x 41 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12.6 x 16.1 x 0.1 inch

€350

Painting, Paysage, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€90

Painting, Ange gardien, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 41.5 x 29.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 16.3 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Flores, Rocío Soriano

Rocío Soriano

Painting . 37 x 28.2 x 1 cm Painting . 14.6 x 11.1 x 0.4 inch

€260

Print, Super Cheesy Song, Ewen Gur

Ewen Gur

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

€380

Painting, Berlin, Milena Makani

Milena Makani

Painting . 35 x 28 cm Painting . 13.8 x 11 inch

€459

Painting, Bord de mer, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€300

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