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, Landes 1, AE2

AE2

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

€300 €285

Painting, Calèche, Adolfo Carducci

Adolfo Carducci

Painting . 25 x 33 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13 x 0.1 inch

€1,066

Painting, Sulking, Sergio Capitani

Sergio Capitani

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€680

Painting, Quiver, Anya Spielman

Anya Spielman

Painting . 36.83 x 27.94 cm Painting . 14.5 x 11 inch

€2,469

Painting, 2010 N°6 Red, Yang Liming

Yang Liming

Painting . 47 x 47 x 4 cm Painting . 18.5 x 18.5 x 1.6 inch

€5,500

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

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

€800 €720

Painting, L'arbre rouge, Autonne

Autonne

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

€800

Painting, Botanical, Ketevan Kacharava

Ketevan Kacharava

Painting . 25 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 9.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€800

Painting, The box, Igor Sventitski

Igor Sventitski

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

€2,400

Painting, Impressions, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 35 x 22 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€500

Painting, Cactus, Delphine Hogarth

Delphine Hogarth

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

€1,749

Painting, Mainstream, Salvatore Alessi

Salvatore Alessi

Painting . 50 x 40 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,900

Painting, Triste, Shank Arte

Shank Arte

Painting . 48 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 18.9 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,160

Painting, Sans titre 14, Marie Pernet

Marie Pernet

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

€800

Painting, Eden, Olha Trikolich

Olha Trikolich

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

€1,200

Painting, 19:15 - 5, Senia Baloyan

Senia Baloyan

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

€449

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, Rose - 952, Aykaz Arzumanyan

Aykaz Arzumanyan

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

€860

Painting, Mustang, Augustina Droze

Augustina Droze

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

€3,795

Painting, P069, Eric Cruikshank

Eric Cruikshank

Painting . 44 x 37 x 0.1 cm Painting . 17.3 x 14.6 x 0 inch

€2,409

Painting, A Dreamer, Carl White

Carl White

Painting . 42 x 31 x 1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 12.2 x 0.4 inch

€1,115

Painting, Portrait 11, FeiWoux Chan

FeiWoux Chan

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

€1,500

Painting, Raccoon, Ian Bertolucci

Ian Bertolucci

Painting . 40 x 40 cm Painting . 15.75 x 15.75 inch

€1,060

Painting, Barcelona II, Paul Landauer

Paul Landauer

Painting . 38.5 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.2 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,084

23/100