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, Acqua e Cuore, Alice

Alice

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0.1 inch

€550

Photography, Mirror, Maciej Leszczynski

Maciej Leszczynski

Photography . 18 x 28 cm Photography . 7.1 x 11 inch

€350

Painting, Arboleda, Vanitira

Vanitira

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

€900

Fine Art Drawings, Pendant l'orage, Lyne Seybel

Lyne Seybel

Fine Art Drawings . 27 x 23 x 5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.6 x 9.1 x 2 inch

€270

Painting, Nuage de bonheur, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Ranching dream, Carla Bosch

Carla Bosch

Painting . 25 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,132

Fine Art Drawings, The Tree, Pierre Segogne

Pierre Segogne

Fine Art Drawings . 26 x 35 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.2 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

€350

Painting, Estanbul, Baptiste Laurent

Baptiste Laurent

Painting . 50 x 50 x 0.3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€850

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Galdosa, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Painting . 22 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,800

Painting, Lotus, Cécile Girard

Cécile Girard

Painting . 43 x 43 x 1 cm Painting . 16.9 x 16.9 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, At the Threshold, Vera Hoi

Vera Hoi

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

€600

Painting, Nimbus, Charlotte Pivard

Charlotte Pivard

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€99

Painting, Jamaika, Max Zuber

Max Zuber

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

€5,000

Painting, Brume matinale, Sophie Dumont

Sophie Dumont

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

€1,100

Painting, Brosh, Ilan Baruch

Ilan Baruch

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

€8,076

Painting, Pater Noster, Miguel Amate

Miguel Amate

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€1,500

Painting, Autumn Melody, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

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

€3,600

Painting, Nature, Eva Hoffmann

Eva Hoffmann

Painting . 48.3 x 38.1 x 2.5 cm Painting . 19 x 15 x 1 inch

€790

Fine Art Drawings, Sunset sur lac, Baptiste Laurent

Baptiste Laurent

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 35 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

€450

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