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…

Read more
Painting, Earth space V, Jen

Jen

Painting . 50 x 50 x 5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 2 inch

€2,955

Painting, Mastery, Salma Mbarek

Salma Mbarek

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

€1,150

Painting, Hours, Caalista

Caalista

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

€1,300

Painting, Untitled, Joaquim Falcó

Joaquim Falcó

Painting . 27 x 35 cm Painting . 10.6 x 13.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, C-3PO Mug Shot, Tony Rubino

Tony Rubino

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 2 inch

€1,761

Painting, Elektra, Karine Langevin

Karine Langevin

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

€750

Painting, Blooms II, Anastassia Skopp

Anastassia Skopp

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

€350

Painting, Untitled, Pietro Beretta

Pietro Beretta

Painting . 40 x 32 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 12.6 x 0.1 inch

€750

Painting, Untitled, Julio de Pablo

Julio de Pablo

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

€4,444

Painting, Incandescent, Fat Nanard

Fat Nanard

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.01 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Après Ski, Riccardo Mayr

Riccardo Mayr

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

€800

Painting, Asinus, Laurent Messager

Laurent Messager

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€470

Photography, Ana, Marie Minot

Ana

Marie Minot

Photography . 50 x 50 x 0.4 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

€1,100

Painting, Sérénité, Calat

Calat

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

€625

Painting, Sans titre, Yves Bonhomme

Yves Bonhomme

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

€500

Painting, Earth space IV, Jen

Jen

Painting . 50 x 50 x 5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 2 inch

€2,955

Painting, The Faure, Peter Max

Peter Max

Painting . 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€2,678 €2,411

Painting, Prince, PyB

PyB

Painting . 43 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 16.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€250

Painting, Fun & Joy, Dorit Levi

Dorit Levi

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

€4,701

Painting, Untitled 1, Sara Chaar

Sara Chaar

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

€768

Painting, Smoky Fog, Karine Langevin

Karine Langevin

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

€750

Painting, Snow walk, Marta Lafuente

Marta Lafuente

Painting . 30 x 23 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

€650

Painting, Celebration, Vcan

Vcan

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€1,200

Painting, Neblina, Frank Jensen

Frank Jensen

Painting . 50 x 50 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€1,250

Painting, Paysage 504, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600

Painting, Sans titre 12, Marie Pernet

Marie Pernet

Painting . 39 x 29 x 1 cm Painting . 15.4 x 11.4 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Brume, Calat

Calat

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

€625

13/29