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
Sculpture, L'attente 30, Daniel Perreu

Daniel Perreu

Sculpture . 29.2 x 4 x 1 cm Sculpture . 11.5 x 1.6 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Eclipse, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 30.5 x 22.9 cm Painting . 12 x 9 inch

€162

Painting, Nude No. 88, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.1 inch

€297

Painting, Body No. 3, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€297

Painting, Body No. 2, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 40.6 x 25.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 10 x 0.1 inch

€243

Painting, Nude No. 67, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€207

Painting, Nude No. 85, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.1 inch

€252

Painting, Hold On, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 cm Painting . 20 x 16 inch

€342

Painting, Up, Natalia Naumova

Up

Natalia Naumova

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1.7 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

€765

Fine Art Drawings, Between Worlds, Julia Shilo

Julia Shilo

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€315

Sculpture, Le torero, Virginie Coste

Virginie Coste

Sculpture . 34 x 24 x 16 cm Sculpture . 13.4 x 9.4 x 6.3 inch

€4,500

Sculpture, Sogno, Alain Mandon

Alain Mandon

Sculpture . 41 x 25 x 11 cm Sculpture . 16.1 x 9.8 x 4.3 inch

€1,400

Photography, Banksia, Mark Arbeit

Mark Arbeit

Photography . 48 x 41 cm Photography . 18.9 x 16.1 inch

€1,980

Print, Femme-fleurs, Corneille

Corneille

Print . 48 x 36 cm Print . 18.9 x 14.2 inch

€550

Print, Offrande, Corneille

Corneille

Print . 48 x 36 cm Print . 18.9 x 14.2 inch

€550

Print, Grand nu bleu, Corneille

Corneille

Print . 48 x 36 cm Print . 18.9 x 14.2 inch

€500

Print, Tête bleue, Corneille

Corneille

Print . 48 x 36 cm Print . 18.9 x 14.2 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, Nude Model, Dean Tavoularis

Dean Tavoularis

Fine Art Drawings . 35 x 27 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 13.8 x 10.6 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Photography, Gladiolus, Mark Arbeit

Mark Arbeit

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

€1,980

Painting, Emily, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Sculpture, Intimacy II, Bruce D

Bruce D

Sculpture . 37 x 37 x 30 cm Sculpture . 14.6 x 14.6 x 11.8 inch

€20,161

Painting, Anna, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Liberty  XV, Peter Goodhall

Peter Goodhall

Painting . 30 x 45 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch

€990

Photography, I'm consumed #4, Javier Rey

Javier Rey

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

€855

Print, Plaisir, Martin Bigum

Martin Bigum

Print . 28 x 21 cm Print . 11 x 8.3 inch

€150

Print, Père, Martin Bigum

Martin Bigum

Print . 28 x 21 cm Print . 11 x 8.3 inch

€150

Painting, Eve, Lili Tao

Eve

Lili Tao

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.4 inch

€1,500

Print, March, Martin Bigum

Martin Bigum

Print . 50 x 35 cm Print . 19.7 x 13.8 inch

€525

Painting, Sylvia, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, Rvelation, Christiane Hess

Christiane Hess

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

€420

Painting, La bascule, Jade Mouge

Jade Mouge

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

€950

23/44