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, Water study, Elie Chammaa

Elie Chammaa

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

€450

Painting, Untitled, Adam Sabhan

Adam Sabhan

Painting . 40 x 40 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€2,500

Painting, Untitled, Adam Sabhan

Adam Sabhan

Painting . 40 x 40 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

€2,500

Painting, Blue, KatRegArt

KatRegArt

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,160

Photography, El caballero, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 35 x 35 x 1 cm Photography . 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€1,327 €1,194

Sculpture, Eole, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Sculpture . 48 x 49 x 37 cm Sculpture . 18.9 x 19.3 x 14.6 inch

€14,000

Sculpture, Un roc, Philippe Buil

Philippe Buil

Sculpture . 36 x 20 x 10 cm Sculpture . 14.2 x 7.9 x 3.9 inch

€1,550

Painting, Nativo Andaman, M. Muro

M. Muro

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

€2,000

Painting, Cappello Azzurro, Luigi Iona

Luigi Iona

Painting . 36 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€195

Painting, Sankofa II, Lawrence Amoo

Lawrence Amoo

Painting . 30 x 24.9 x 2.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.8 x 1 inch

€3,842

Painting, Self Portrait, Nazar Ivanyuk

Nazar Ivanyuk

Painting . 47 x 37 x 0.2 cm Painting . 18.5 x 14.6 x 0.1 inch

€800

Print, Amour, Martin Bigum

Martin Bigum

Print . 28 x 21 cm Print . 11 x 8.3 inch

€150

Sculpture, Ògún, Erik Ebeling

Erik Ebeling

Sculpture . 43 x 20 x 20 cm Sculpture . 16.9 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch

€2,531

Painting, Smokers 01, Nagui Achamallah

Nagui Achamallah

Painting . 38.1 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€398

Print, Hongui, Gaelle Beyaert

Gaelle Beyaert

Print . 30 x 45 x 2 cm Print . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€340

Painting, Monjes Camboya, M. Muro

M. Muro

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

€2,000

Fine Art Drawings, Franco, Samuel Franceschi

Samuel Franceschi

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 20 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 7.9 inch

€530

Fine Art Drawings, Sax Man, Jay Russell

Jay Russell

Fine Art Drawings . 35.6 x 27.9 x 5.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14 x 11 x 2 inch

€2,170

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€800 €720

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€800 €720

Painting, Friends, Asher Topel

Asher Topel

Painting . 35.1 x 45 x 3 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch

€678

Painting, Code 1925, Thierry Carrier

Thierry Carrier

Painting . 27 x 19 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.8 inch

€1,000

Painting, Chill, Disek

Disek

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

€750

Painting, Gaugalin 1, Matthieu de Malte

Matthieu de Malte

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.2 inch

€400

Painting, Division, Gegham Hunanyan

Gegham Hunanyan

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

€316

Painting, Stress Day VI, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€250

Print, Nostalgie, Martin Bigum

Martin Bigum

Print . 28 x 21 cm Print . 11 x 8.3 inch

€150

Painting, Gaugalin 2, Matthieu de Malte

Matthieu de Malte

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.2 inch

€400

Fine Art Drawings, Man lying down, Anthony Roaland

Anthony Roaland

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 41 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€380

Painting, Gustave, Tania Potapenko

Tania Potapenko

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

€410

Painting, Code 1921, Thierry Carrier

Thierry Carrier

Painting . 27 x 19 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.8 inch

€1,000

Painting, Stress Day V, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€250

Print, Le Monstre, Enki Bilal

Enki Bilal

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

€790

Painting, Le Papou, Olivier Daumas

Olivier Daumas

Painting . 40 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€3,000 €2,100

Photography, The Warrior, Wylda Bayrón

Wylda Bayrón

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€1,200

Painting, Daydreaming, Nazar Ivanyuk

Nazar Ivanyuk

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

€880

Fine Art Drawings, Homme au marcel, Jacotte Sibre

Jacotte Sibre

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 29 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€320

Photography, Le Chapelier fou, Kahem

Kahem

Photography . 40 x 26.66 x 0.3 cm Photography . 15.7 x 10.5 x 0.1 inch

€462

Fine Art Drawings, Bastet, Corné Akkers

Corné Akkers

Fine Art Drawings . 21.1 x 28.2 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.1 x 0.1 inch

€1,445

Fine Art Drawings, The Centenarian, Alla Kechedzhan

Alla Kechedzhan

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€3,700