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, Culm Day, Anna Reznikova

Anna Reznikova

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

€600

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

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

€1,200

Painting, Selfie, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

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

€950

Painting, Wave, Lusie Schellenberg

Lusie Schellenberg

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

€910

Painting, The far shores, Paul B

Paul B

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

€1,006

Painting, Mother, Malgorzata Limon

Malgorzata Limon

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

€1,500

Painting, El Mar, Leonardo Nierman

Leonardo Nierman

Painting . 12.7 x 32.4 cm Painting . 5 x 12.75 inch

€2,276

Painting, Remanescence, Sophie Dumont

Sophie Dumont

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

€1,200

Painting, Horizon bleu, Eurgal

Eurgal

Painting . 40 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1 inch

€1,200

Painting, Sunset, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

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

€1,100

Painting, Cyclades, Kerfily

Kerfily

Painting . 33 x 41 x 2.5 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 1 inch

€450

Painting, Evening, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 24 x 34 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.4 x 0.8 inch

€405

Painting, Sea No 7, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€264

Painting, Liquid element, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€960

Painting, Timeless tides, Paul B

Paul B

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

€1,006

Painting, Devenir, Florence V. Henric

Florence V. Henric

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

€850

Painting, Hebrides 1, Shawn Marshall

Shawn Marshall

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 3.8 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 1.5 inch

€865

Painting, Embruns, Raymond Poulet

Raymond Poulet

Painting . 38 x 46 x 2 cm Painting . 15 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch

€4,600

Painting, Vue du port, Tom Davies

Tom Davies

Painting . 16 x 27 x 0.3 cm Painting . 6.3 x 10.6 x 0.1 inch

€1,034

Painting, September, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 50 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€980

Painting, Paisatge, Manuel Mayoral

Manuel Mayoral

Painting . 22 x 27 x 3 cm Painting . 8.7 x 10.6 x 1.2 inch

€550

Painting, Toi et moi, Eurgal

Eurgal

Painting . 40 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1 inch

€1,200

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, Bliss, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 27 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€580