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, City dweller, Paulis Postazs

Paulis Postazs

Painting . 40 x 26 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 10.2 x 0.8 inch

€2,860

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Ladislas Kijno

Ladislas Kijno

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 32 x 0.05 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€2,800

Painting, La porteuse, Michel Rauscher

Michel Rauscher

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

€1,100

Painting, Persian motif, Nelli Tsenova

Nelli Tsenova

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

€660

Painting, Portrait 8, FeiWoux Chan

FeiWoux Chan

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

€1,200

Painting, Let's dance, Hanne Kjaer

Hanne Kjaer

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

€1,100

Painting, Landscape, Martine Elhaik

Martine Elhaik

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

€200

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

€1,364

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, Surprised, La Ba Quan

La Ba Quan

Painting . 50.8 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting . 20 x 20 x 1 inch

€1,615

Painting, La Terre Promise IV, Artur

Artur

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

€800

Painting, Solitude, Alfredo Vannotti

Alfredo Vannotti

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

€966

Painting, Cyclades, Kerfily

Kerfily

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

€450

Painting, Homeless, Pascal Vilcollet

Pascal Vilcollet

Painting . 46.5 x 33 x 3 cm Painting . 18.3 x 13 x 1.2 inch

€2,198

Painting, Chemin des bois, F. Perloux

F. Perloux

Painting . 25 x 33.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.2 x 0.2 inch

€1,023

Painting, Fleurs, Gian Rodolfo D'Accardi

Gian Rodolfo D'Accardi

Painting . 49 x 34.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 19.3 x 13.6 x 0.2 inch

€1,091

Painting, Scène urbaine, Harry Urban

Harry Urban

Painting . 32 x 41.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12.6 x 16.3 x 0.2 inch

€966

Painting, Jeunes filles, Jean Ducommun

Jean Ducommun

Painting . 46.5 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 18.3 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€1,773

Painting, Libération, M. Thomas

M. Thomas

Painting . 45.5 x 36 x 1.5 cm Painting . 17.9 x 14.2 x 0.6 inch

€978

Painting, Sans titre, Samuel Lalier

Samuel Lalier

Painting . 32 x 24 x 3 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

€1,100

Painting, Venise, Josselin Bodley

Josselin Bodley

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

€1,148

5/100