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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Fine Art Drawings, Feel the bass, Jay Russell

Jay Russell

Fine Art Drawings . 50.8 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 20 x 16 x 2 inch

€2,188

Painting, Warp Bubble I, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

€273

Painting, Pizza I, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

€273

Painting, Drain, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.01 inch

€273

Painting, Anchovies I, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

€273

Photography, Jazz Scooter, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 41 x 41 cm Photography . 16.1 x 16.1 inch

€2,550

Painting, Trumpet Jazz, Moise Cohen

Moise Cohen

Painting . 45 x 32 x 1 cm Painting . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0.4 inch

€560

Painting, La muse, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€349 €332

Painting, La muse, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

€399 €380

Painting, La lyre, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

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

€119 €114

Photography, Lou Reed, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€1,975

Fine Art Drawings, Mes nuits apaches, Topolino

Topolino

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€240

Painting, Harmonie, Albena Vatcheva

Albena Vatcheva

Painting . 35 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€249 €237

Fine Art Drawings, Attitude en dehors, Timi O

Timi O

Fine Art Drawings . 27 x 19.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.6 x 7.7 x 0 inch

€228

Photography, China\Mongolia., Eve Arnold

Eve Arnold

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 x 0.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 x 0.2 inch

€1,367

Painting, En musique, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

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

€98

Photography, Esperanza, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

€719

Fine Art Drawings, Legato Pause, Timi O

Timi O

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 20.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.1 x 0 inch

€228

Painting, Last Attempt, Gegham Hunanyan

Gegham Hunanyan

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

€292 €233

Fine Art Drawings, Le gitan, Emmanuel Deschodt

Emmanuel Deschodt

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.6 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Pop Up, Emmanuel Deschodt

Emmanuel Deschodt

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.3 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Le guitariste, Emmanuel Deschodt

Emmanuel Deschodt

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 21 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, Soulful Jazz, Moise Cohen

Moise Cohen

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

€790

Photography, David Bowie, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€2,460

Photography, Bowie Owl Eye, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€2,460

Photography, Bowie On Stage, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€2,460

Photography, Bowie Beverly Hills, Mick Rock

Mick Rock

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€2,460

Painting, Libre, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

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

€180

Painting, Le guitariste, Pierre Sojo

Pierre Sojo

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

€1,700

Fine Art Drawings, Guitariste, 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

€280

Painting, Contrebasse, Moise Cohen

Moise Cohen

Painting . 33 x 23 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 9.1 x 0.4 inch

€590

Print, Piper, Pietro Morando

Pietro Morando

Print . 48.5 x 34 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.1 x 13.4 x 0 inch

€250

Photography, ZZ Top, Richard Unglick

Richard Unglick

Photography . 24 x 36 x 1 cm Photography . 9.4 x 14.2 x 0.4 inch

€60

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