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, James Cosmo, Brian King

Brian King

Painting . 39.9 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€1,096

Photography, Peter Gabriel, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€1,975

Painting, Souvenir, Nawel Aubert

Nawel Aubert

Painting . 40 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1 inch

€250

Painting, Calavera III, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

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

€240

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

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

€1,000

Painting, The beard, Pascal Marlin

Pascal Marlin

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

€450

Painting, Lost way, Nef

Nef

Painting . 29.7 x 42 cm Painting . 11.7 x 16.5 inch

€300

Painting, Ethnic 2, Pascal Marlin

Pascal Marlin

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

€350

Painting, Ho Chi Minh, Eduardo Candil

Eduardo Candil

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€600

Painting, The Party, Irfan Ajvazi

Irfan Ajvazi

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

€1,800

Painting, Saint John, Oleg Litvinov

Oleg Litvinov

Painting . 38 x 37.5 x 2 cm Painting . 15 x 14.8 x 0.8 inch

€800

Painting, Nageur, Nathalie Cubéro

Nathalie Cubéro

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

€490

Painting, Wendy, Nadine Denjean

Nadine Denjean

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

€680

Photography, #9, Julien Espiaut

#9

Julien Espiaut

Photography . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€190

Painting, Portriat, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

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

€1,000

Painting, The Pool, Irfan Ajvazi

Irfan Ajvazi

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

€2,000

Painting, One Step Away, Helen Spoon

Helen Spoon

Painting . 35 x 19.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 13.8 x 7.7 x 0.2 inch

€407

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€800 €720

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

€723

Painting, Jaider, Celso Castro

Celso Castro

Painting . 49.5 x 34.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 19.5 x 13.75 x 0.1 inch

€362

Painting, Walk, Liubou Sas

Liubou Sas

Painting . 50 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€780

Painting, Take-3, Andrii Davydenko

Andrii Davydenko

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

€500

Fine Art Drawings, Whatever man, Fred Borghesi

Fred Borghesi

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 21 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€3,300

Painting, Blue Shemp, Dwayne Wolff

Dwayne Wolff

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 1 inch

€542

Painting, Ivan Bohun, Oleg Litvinov

Oleg Litvinov

Painting . 34 x 22 x 2 cm Painting . 13.4 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€600

Painting, Un uomo solo, Luigi Iona

Luigi Iona

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

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Frère Trophim, Erte Tirtoff

Erte Tirtoff

Fine Art Drawings . 39 x 28 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.4 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€6,000

Photography, Lech ice bar, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 50.8 cm Photography . 20 x 20 inch

€3,420