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, Now and always, Maria Esmar

Maria Esmar

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

€900

Painting, Marbella, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 36 x 28 x 3 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Up There, Tamar Sulakvelidze

Tamar Sulakvelidze

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€4,000

Painting, Serena river, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 25 x 35 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,400

Painting, Ivan tea, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 30 x 25 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,200

Painting, Marina, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

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

€1,150

Painting, White sea, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

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

€3,000

Painting, Winter day, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 24 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€2,900

Painting, Rocky shores, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

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

€3,200

Painting, Frost and sun, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€2,900

Painting, Cold, Wang Dianyu

Wang Dianyu

Painting . 35 x 20 x 3 cm Painting . 13.8 x 7.9 x 1.2 inch

€2,400

Painting, Red streets, Dam Domido

Dam Domido

Painting . 33 x 41 x 1 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch

€990

Painting, An Arrow, Tamar Sulakvelidze

Tamar Sulakvelidze

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

€9,000

Painting, Gumbet. harbor, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,229

Painting, Sunny day, Aram Sevoyan

Aram Sevoyan

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

€673 €572

Painting, James Cosmo, Brian King

Brian King

Painting . 39.9 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€1,087

Painting, Roses, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 36 x 28 x 3 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Me, Tamar Sulakvelidze

Me

Tamar Sulakvelidze

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

€6,500

Painting, Sunflowers, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€6,300

Painting, Sewing Nets, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 27.5 x 36 x 3 cm Painting . 10.8 x 14.2 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, Le bousier, Anne Zamo

Anne Zamo

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

€700

Painting, Shell, Tamar Sulakvelidze

Tamar Sulakvelidze

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

€9,000

Painting, River rocks, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

€1,390

Painting, Teleny TV, Alessandra Bisi

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, Marbella, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

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

€1,000

Design, Glam Box, Sylvie Cappe

Sylvie Cappe

Design . 31 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm Design . 12.2 x 12 x 12 inch

€360

Painting, Blue rain, Dam Domido

Dam Domido

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

€790

Painting, Lilacs, Louise Baker

Louise Baker

Painting . 43.2 x 33 x 3.8 cm Painting . 17 x 13 x 1.5 inch

€678

Painting, Untitled, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 31 x 20 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12.2 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch

€500 €450

Painting, Autumn flowers, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,400

Painting, Brompton road, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 35 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€3,900

Painting, Lycian palms, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€3,300

Painting, Kvika 2, Sjöfn Kolbeins

Sjöfn Kolbeins

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

€400

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