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, Cycle Over, Gregg Smith

Gregg Smith

Painting . 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€900

Painting, What remains, Liz Gartz

Liz Gartz

Painting . 25 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 9.8 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Decadent, Augustina Droze

Augustina Droze

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€3,795

Painting, Tulip Patch, Hunt Slonem

Hunt Slonem

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

€14,000

Painting, Still Life, Felicita Frai

Felicita Frai

Painting . 38.5 x 44 x 1 cm Painting . 15.2 x 17.3 x 0.4 inch

€3,400

Painting, Fleurs n°2, Georges Darel

Georges Darel

Painting . 46 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 18.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€887

Painting, Ohne Titel, Gerd Kanz

Gerd Kanz

Painting . 24 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€800

Painting, Bouquet, Taro Takikawa

Taro Takikawa

Painting . 35 x 20.5 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 8.1 x 0.8 inch

€1,357

Painting, In vitro, Thierry Bronchart

Thierry Bronchart

Painting . 46 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Grow Up, Angelo Pioppo

Angelo Pioppo

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€900

Painting, Duo, Alain Géneau

Duo

Alain Géneau

Painting . 27 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€2,900

Painting, Blue flowers, Felicia Trales

Felicia Trales

Painting . 49.8 x 49.8 x 2 cm Painting . 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.8 inch

€2,517

Painting, Mim, James Earley

Mim

James Earley

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

€3,400

Painting, Red Tulip, Hunt Slonem

Hunt Slonem

Painting . 25.4 x 20.3 cm Painting . 10 x 8 inch

€7,500

Painting, Ohne Titel, Gerd Kanz

Gerd Kanz

Painting . 24 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€800

Painting, Autumnal  II, Nelli Tsenova

Nelli Tsenova

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

€920

Fine Art Drawings, May Green II, Gabriel Riesnert

Gabriel Riesnert

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 x 0.4 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch

€580

Painting, Psyche, Malgorzata Limon

Malgorzata Limon

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

€3,000

Painting, China Asters, Alla Vitta

Alla Vitta

Painting . 36 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 14.2 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,620

Painting, In vitro, Thierry Bronchart

Thierry Bronchart

Painting . 46 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Yellow light, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,450

Painting, Pink Cradle, Su Bin Lim

Su Bin Lim

Painting . 24.2 x 33.4 x 3 cm Painting . 9.5 x 13.1 x 1.2 inch

€1,000

Painting, Fleurs, FeiWoux Chan

FeiWoux Chan

Painting . 46 x 38 x 3 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 1.2 inch

€1,200

Painting, Hemerocallis, Marzia Trinca

Marzia Trinca

Painting . 40 x 40 x 0.4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch

€680

Painting, Flowers 2, Helder Batista

Helder Batista

Painting . 48 x 38 x 1 cm Painting . 18.9 x 15 x 0.4 inch

€1,250

Painting, Capucines, Maurice Asselin

Maurice Asselin

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

€984