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, Happy space 2, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Photography, #8, Julien Espiaut

#8

Julien Espiaut

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

€390

Painting, VinFucsia, Silvia Montanari

Silvia Montanari

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

€360

Painting, Rose Up, Ryan Crotty

Ryan Crotty

Painting . 35 x 27.5 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 10.8 x 0.8 inch

€2,880

Painting, Love Poetry, Palirina

Palirina

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.6 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€227

Painting, N° COL1021P2, Kyung-Ae Hur

Kyung-Ae Hur

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

€7,600

Painting, Pink blood, Jack The Killer

Jack The Killer

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

€50

Painting, Vague d'amour, Âme Sauvage

Âme Sauvage

Painting . 30 x 30 x 2.4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.9 inch

€150

Painting, Lotus 8, Xiu

Xiu

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

€600 €540

Painting, La palette d'Homer, Oak Oak

Oak Oak

Painting . 24 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€850

Painting, Tondo 1, Johanna Lisa

Johanna Lisa

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

€400

Print, Hand (Rose), Smash137

Smash137

Print . 39 x 29 x 0.1 cm Print . 15.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€1,183

Painting, SOON SPRING, Bruno Cantais

Bruno Cantais

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

€220

Painting, Quiet day, Irina Trushkova

Irina Trushkova

Painting . 43 x 43 x 2 cm Painting . 16.9 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

€2,100

Painting, UP23_69, Matt Neuman

Matt Neuman

Painting . 28 x 28 x 2 cm Painting . 11 x 11 x 0.8 inch

€2,100

Sculpture, Petit panda Pink, Miko-R

Miko-R

Sculpture . 36 x 30 x 30 cm Sculpture . 14.2 x 11.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,900

Sculpture, Predator, Zlatin Orlov

Zlatin Orlov

Sculpture . 22 x 47 x 16 cm Sculpture . 8.7 x 18.5 x 6.3 inch

€2,650

Painting, Spring, Mitko Dimitrov

Mitko Dimitrov

Painting . 33.5 x 33.5 x 2 cm Painting . 13.2 x 13.2 x 0.8 inch

€290

Fine Art Drawings, Été, Marine Walon

Marine Walon

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 20 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inch

€350

Painting, Luz y sombra, Delia Solari

Delia Solari

Painting . 45 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 17.7 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€1,823

Painting, Cascade de roses, Navema

Navema

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

€500

Painting, Disco Dogs, Mike Jacobs

Mike Jacobs

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€700

Painting, Paysages 801, Xiu

Xiu

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

€700

Fine Art Drawings, Devil Pig, Spencer Harris

Spencer Harris

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 22.9 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 9 x 0.8 inch

€1,778

Fine Art Drawings, Signature 16, Catherine Cazau

Catherine Cazau

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 45 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 17.7 inch

€530

Painting, Love tree, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Fine Art Drawings, The Fish III, 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

Painting, Sans Titre, Miguel Macaya

Miguel Macaya

Painting . 50 x 50 x 6 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 2.4 inch

€10,500

Sculpture, Teddy LV Marilyn, Naor

Naor

Sculpture . 35 x 26 x 25 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 10.2 x 9.8 inch

€680

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