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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Print, Comboi, Joan Brossa

Joan Brossa

Print . 38 x 50 cm Print . 15 x 19.7 inch

€550

Print, Le lion, Gilles Aillaud

Gilles Aillaud

Print . 35 x 25 cm Print . 13.8 x 9.8 inch

€1,200

Print, Untitled, Fred Bugs

Fred Bugs

Print . 32 x 46 x 0.3 cm Print . 12.6 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

€800

Print, Sans titre, Julius Baltazar

Julius Baltazar

Print . 45 x 30 x 0.01 cm Print . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€200

Print, Signes, Antoni Clavé

Antoni Clavé

Print . 35 x 29 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.8 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€860

Print, L'orgueil, Leonor Fini

Leonor Fini

Print . 41 x 33 x 0.01 cm Print . 16.1 x 13 x 0 inch

€350

Print, Sans titre, Max Ernst

Max Ernst

Print . 38 x 28 x 0.1 cm Print . 15 x 11 x 0 inch

€800

Print, Die Heilige, Thomas Ott

Thomas Ott

Print . 41 x 35 x 0.1 cm Print . 16.1 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€250

Print, Bouquet, André Vigud

André Vigud

Print . 38 x 28 cm Print . 15 x 11 inch

€120

Print, Composition, Jorge Camacho

Jorge Camacho

Print . 37.5 x 26.5 x 0.1 cm Print . 14.8 x 10.4 x 0 inch

€300

Print, Les Appelants, Arman

Arman

Print . 38 x 28 x 1 cm Print . 15 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€390

Print, The Safari, Pino Procopiio

Pino Procopiio

Print . 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€300

Print, Untitled, Joan Cots

Joan Cots

Print . 49.5 x 38 cm Print . 19.5 x 15 inch

€222

Print, Woman In Red, Pompeo Borra

Pompeo Borra

Print . 33.2 x 23.8 x 0.2 cm Print . 13.1 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch

€230

Print, Spring Air, Gastone Breddo

Gastone Breddo

Print . 33.3 x 23.7 x 0.2 cm Print . 13.1 x 9.3 x 0.1 inch

€190

Print, Empreinte 2, Raoul Ubac

Raoul Ubac

Print . 40 x 28 cm Print . 15.7 x 11 inch

€800

Print, Apollo, Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse

Print . 33 x 43 cm Print . 13 x 16.9 inch

€439

Print, Untitled - 4, Man Ray

Man Ray

Print . 49 x 34.5 cm Print . 19.3 x 13.6 inch

€1,500

Print, Hand (Rose), Smash137

Smash137

Print . 39 x 29 x 0.1 cm Print . 15.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€1,192

Print, L'Espace, Sabine Finkenauer

Sabine Finkenauer

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

€350

Print, Pigeons, Marcello Pirro

Marcello Pirro

Print . 50 x 34 x 0.3 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.4 x 0.1 inch

€300