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, P1.14, Jean Feinberg

Jean Feinberg

Painting . 47 x 31.8 cm Painting . 18.5 x 12.5 inch

€1,446

Painting, Horizon doré, Maria Ruisi

Maria Ruisi

Painting . 49.9 x 49.9 x 3 cm Painting . 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.2 inch

€900

Sculpture, Shiko 678, Kojun

Kojun

Sculpture . 19.5 x 25.5 x 26.5 cm Sculpture . 7.7 x 10 x 10.4 inch

€1,700

Sculpture, Metamorphoses, Adele Moreau

Adele Moreau

Sculpture . 41 x 35.5 x 8 cm Sculpture . 16.1 x 14 x 3.1 inch

€831

Sculpture, Joyeux chaos, Wabé

Wabé

Sculpture . 37 x 37 x 37 cm Sculpture . 14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 inch

€4,200

Fine Art Drawings, The Fish II, Marianna Oklejak

Marianna Oklejak

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 41.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€370

Fine Art Drawings, I'm Yours #2, Guillaume Piot

Guillaume Piot

Fine Art Drawings . 45 x 33 cm Fine Art Drawings . 17.7 x 13 inch

€950

Print, Plush, Jef Aérosol

Jef Aérosol

Print . 50 x 50 x 1 cm Print . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€335

Sculpture, Wild sand, Ferri Garcès

Ferri Garcès

Sculpture . 37 x 33 x 7 cm Sculpture . 14.6 x 13 x 2.8 inch

€2,600

Painting, La Passe, Mariam Khachatryan

Mariam Khachatryan

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€1,100

Painting, Stress Day V, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€250

Sculpture, Light Tree, Emma Levine

Emma Levine

Sculpture . 45 x 45 x 5 cm Sculpture . 17.7 x 17.7 x 2 inch

€2,530

Painting, Nexus Ombre d'Or, Maria Ruisi

Maria Ruisi

Painting . 49.9 x 49.9 x 3 cm Painting . 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Horizon Doux, Maria Ruisi

Maria Ruisi

Painting . 49.9 x 49.9 x 3 cm Painting . 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Abstract Balance, Maria Ruisi

Maria Ruisi

Painting . 49.9 x 49.9 x 3 cm Painting . 19.6 x 19.6 x 1.2 inch

€900

Sculpture, Mystic River, Gaspard Mitz

Gaspard Mitz

Sculpture . 24 x 34 x 6.5 cm Sculpture . 9.4 x 13.4 x 2.6 inch

€700

Painting, Flamboyant, Beatrice Sartori

Beatrice Sartori

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

€2,950

Painting, Élan Doré, Maria Ruisi

Maria Ruisi

Painting . 49 x 49 x 1 cm Painting . 19.3 x 19.3 x 0.4 inch

€1,900

Fine Art Drawings, I'm Yours #1, Guillaume Piot

Guillaume Piot

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 40 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 15.7 inch

€1,000

Fine Art Drawings, Moma, Clara NineL

Clara NineL

Fine Art Drawings . 48 x 38 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18.9 x 15 x 0.4 inch

€400

Print, Now Complete 1., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Print . 39.8 x 27.6 x 0.1 cm Print . 15.7 x 10.9 x 0 inch

€390

Painting, The Bow, Marian Williams

Marian Williams

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€250

Painting, Blue Car, Marian Williams

Marian Williams

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€250

Print, Russian Cut, Stinkfish

Stinkfish

Print . 33 x 25 x 0.1 cm Print . 13 x 9.8 x 0 inch

€590

Painting, L & M, Svetlana Lazareva

Svetlana Lazareva

Painting . 30 x 21 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.8 inch

€632