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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Fine Art Drawings, Ecoute, Bze Bzeland

Bze Bzeland

Fine Art Drawings . 48.3 x 32.9 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19 x 13 x 0 inch

€200

Photography, Porcelain Hand, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 46 x 46 x 0.2 cm Photography . 18.1 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

€515

Painting, Red Plum, Zhize Lv

Zhize Lv

Painting . 34.5 x 34.5 cm Painting . 13.6 x 13.6 inch

€137 €123

Print, Nenuphars, Claude Cruz

Claude Cruz

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

€260

Painting, It´s a joke rrr, Sprape

Sprape

Painting . 50 x 50 x 5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 2 inch

€360

Photography, Gravité, Alexis Duclos

Alexis Duclos

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

€680

Print, Tête de cerf, Mox

Mox

Print . 30 x 20 x 0.5 cm Print . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inch

€40

Print, L'Oise, Alexei Lantsev

Alexei Lantsev

Print . 30.5 x 45 cm Print . 12 x 17.7 inch

€155

Print, Rose 1, Claude Cruz

Claude Cruz

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

€260

Photography, Berlin, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 46 x 46 x 0.2 cm Photography . 18.1 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

€425

Photography, Lion Skull, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 48 x 48 x 0.2 cm Photography . 18.9 x 18.9 x 0.1 inch

€425

Photography, Pola Molitor, Gil Rigoulet

Gil Rigoulet

Photography . 50 x 50 x 0.02 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€2,200

Painting, Hulk e gli altri, Pino Rosa

Pino Rosa

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

€250

Print, Wanderlust, Kashink

Kashink

Print . 30 x 20 cm Print . 11.8 x 7.9 inch

€85

Photography, Pola Molitor 2, Gil Rigoulet

Gil Rigoulet

Photography . 50 x 50 x 0.02 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€2,200

Photography, Paris Sportif, Alexander Benz

Alexander Benz

Photography . 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€460

Fine Art Drawings, Zen-3166, Ludoroy

Ludoroy

Fine Art Drawings . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€650

Photography, Gold, Carles Prat-Placis

Carles Prat-Placis

Photography . 33 x 33 x 1 cm Photography . 13 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€222

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