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, 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, Summer 2, Ahmed Art

Ahmed Art

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

€350

Painting, Okey, Raül Mateo

Raül Mateo

Painting . 30 x 20 x 5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 7.9 x 2 inch

€650

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

Sculpture, Pachamama, Brigitte Dravet

Brigitte Dravet

Sculpture . 47 x 35 x 25 cm Sculpture . 18.5 x 13.8 x 9.8 inch

€6,000

Painting, Serie Gris, Antonio Vargas

Antonio Vargas

Painting . 31 x 44 cm Painting . 12.2 x 17.3 inch

€500

Painting, Tray 276, Olivier Ebel

Olivier Ebel

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

€350

Painting, In shade, Midori Luck

Midori Luck

Painting . 30 x 20 cm Painting . 11.8 x 7.9 inch

€670

Photography, Mur 007, Sophie Bassouls

Sophie Bassouls

Photography . 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography . 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€750

Painting, Sans titre, Franck Bertran

Franck Bertran

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€700

Painting, Warm Embrace, Elie Chammaa

Elie Chammaa

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

€665

Painting, Earth space II, Jen

Jen

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

€2,955

Painting, Kalloni Bay, Matt Kirby

Matt Kirby

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

€495

Painting, Berry wine, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

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

€452

Painting, Wine tasting, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

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

€452

Painting, Wild, Géraldine G.

Géraldine G.

Painting . 40 x 40 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,200

Painting, Impasse des ateliers, Calat

Calat

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

€625

Painting, Side eye, Catherine Clare

Catherine Clare

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2.5 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 1 inch

€900

Painting, Day Imereti, Lile Gasviani

Lile Gasviani

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

€3,500

Print, Dream on, James Chiew

James Chiew

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

€1,750

Painting, Vacíos, Adriana Setter

Adriana Setter

Painting . 46 x 38 x 1.5 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.6 inch

€500

Painting, Love and Music, Dorit Levi

Dorit Levi

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

€4,701

Painting, Woman and grape, Irina Bast

Irina Bast

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

€542

Painting, Earth space I, Jen

Jen

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

€2,955

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, Untitled, Antonio de Vargas

Antonio de Vargas

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

€750

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