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, Entropy Zone 35., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.3 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.5 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Entropy Zone 34., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40.5 x 30.3 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.9 x 11.9 x 0 inch

€390

Painting, Entropy Zone 33., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€390

Painting, Entropy Zone 32., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.6 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€390

Painting, Harmony 279, Olivier Ebel

Olivier Ebel

Painting . 44 x 43 x 0.1 cm Painting . 17.3 x 16.9 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Tray 276 (2), Olivier Ebel

Olivier Ebel

Painting . 44 x 43 x 0.1 cm Painting . 17.3 x 16.9 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Entropy Zone 31., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€360

Painting, Entropy Zone 29., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Untitled 197, Rikke Bjørn

Rikke Bjørn

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

€600

Sculpture, Sentido 0, Aniana Heras

Aniana Heras

Sculpture . 37.8 x 19.8 x 8.9 cm Sculpture . 14.9 x 7.8 x 3.5 inch

€640

Painting, Entropy Zone 28., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 42.2 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.6 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Entropy Zone 27., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40.4 x 30.4 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.9 x 12 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Entropy Zone 25., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40.5 x 30.3 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.9 x 11.9 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Entropy Zone 24., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40.4 x 30.4 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.9 x 12 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Entropy Zone 23., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40.5 x 30.4 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.9 x 12 x 0 inch

€330

Painting, Morning Fire, Nestor Toro

Nestor Toro

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.8 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.7 inch

€922

Painting, Kintsugi, Anna Artemieva

Anna Artemieva

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

€452

Painting, Solar Fire, Nestor Toro

Nestor Toro

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.8 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.7 inch

€922

Sculpture, Entrapped 2, Simcha Even-Chen

Simcha Even-Chen

Sculpture . 17 x 35 x 28 cm Sculpture . 6.7 x 13.8 x 11 inch

€2,900

Painting, Abstract No. 94, Gina Vor

Gina Vor

Painting . 39.5 x 29.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.6 x 11.6 x 0.1 inch

€200

Painting, Hidden Story 24., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 41.7 x 31.8 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.4 x 12.5 x 0 inch

€310

Painting, Spacewalk XXII., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€320

Painting, Hidden Story 23., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Painting . 40.1 x 30.1 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.8 x 11.9 x 0 inch

€290

Painting, One, Julia Faer

One

Julia Faer

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€452

Fine Art Drawings, A quarter, Violetta Arnesen

Violetta Arnesen

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€500