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…

Read more
Fine Art Drawings, Painting Through Fear, Michael Alan

Michael Alan

Fine Art Drawings . 27.3 x 22.2 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.75 x 8.75 x 0.04 inch

€1,900

Painting, Vual, Alessandra Bisi

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€170

Painting, Sil, Alessandra Bisi

Sil

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€170

Painting, Map Paname, Hamed ENCS

Hamed ENCS

Painting . 37.5 x 37.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 14.8 x 14.8 x 0.2 inch

€420

Painting, Iris, Evgeniya Brits

Evgeniya Brits

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

€500

Painting, Clavel Azul, Evgeniya Brits

Evgeniya Brits

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

€700

Painting, Spring lilac, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

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

€324 €275

Painting, Clip, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 25.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 14 x 10 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, Goat 3, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 0 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 0.01 inch

€270

Painting, Red Coco, Alessandra Bisi

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 21 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€130

Painting, Duran, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.9 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.75 inch

€270

Painting, Bass Overload, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 50.8 x 40.6 x 1.9 cm Painting . 20 x 16 x 0.75 inch

€270

Painting, Shield, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 28.6 x 23.5 x 1.9 cm Painting . 11.25 x 9.25 x 0.75 inch

€270

Painting, Mitosis, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 1.9 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.75 inch

€270

Painting, Dementia, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 1.9 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.75 inch

€270

Painting, Teeth, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 30.1 x 23.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 11.87 x 9.25 x 1 inch

€270

Fine Art Drawings, Issues, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Fine Art Drawings . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, May, Boris Serdyuk

May

Boris Serdyuk

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

€270

Painting, Evening, Boris Serdyuk

Boris Serdyuk

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

€270

Painting, Evening, Boris Serdyuk

Boris Serdyuk

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

€345

Painting, Roses, Pereta Vyacheslav

Pereta Vyacheslav

Painting . 46 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€290

Print, DeathP435, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 32 x 45 x 0.1 cm Print . 12.6 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€199

Print, DeathQ1269, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Print, DeathMb415, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Print, 4 Drunk Sprays, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 32 x 45 x 0.1 cm Print . 12.6 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€199

Print, DeathG592, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Print, Death G518, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€199

Painting, Tuck, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 25.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 14 x 10 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, Ex nihilo, Charles Belle

Charles Belle

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.4 inch

€10,000