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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Sculpture, Teddy Ferrari, Naor

Naor

Sculpture . 35 x 25 x 20 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 9.8 x 7.9 inch

€790

Painting, Dream, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€1,120

Painting, Clint Eastwood Fuel, Otist

Otist

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€800

Painting, Gold digger, Daru

Daru

Painting . 31 x 41 x 1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch

€1,500

Painting, Pause Cafe, Edgard Mazigi

Edgard Mazigi

Painting . 30 x 30 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,150

Painting, Vibration, Sandrine Hirson

Sandrine Hirson

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.7 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

€300

Painting, Daydream, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

Painting . 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

€960

Print, Red Fish, Erró

Erró

Print . 30 x 24 x 0.05 cm Print . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, A feast, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€960

Painting, Warm lines, Emily Starck

Emily Starck

Painting . 45 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 17.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Untitled, Oksana Domnytska

Oksana Domnytska

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

€538

Painting, Lasergame, Antony Squizzato

Antony Squizzato

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

€460

Painting, Fragility, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€960

Painting, Cinema, Irfan Ajvazi

Irfan Ajvazi

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€2,000

Painting, Vivid, Dorit Levi

Dorit Levi

Painting . 35 x 35 x 0.5 cm Painting . 13.8 x 13.8 x 0.2 inch

€2,153

Painting, For Dad, Amaliia Gorbenko

Amaliia Gorbenko

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.6 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€1,794

Sculpture, Dodo 2, Denis Lepage

Denis Lepage

Sculpture . 43 x 33 x 20 cm Sculpture . 16.9 x 13 x 7.9 inch

€3,500

Painting, Essence, Cécile Jaunet

Cécile Jaunet

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

€900

Painting, Ce qui reste, Sophie Hors

Sophie Hors

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

€650

Painting, Fear kills fortune, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, I'm a dreaming?, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Three Sheds, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

€1,390

Sculpture, Pierrot red mask, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 33 x 11 x 11 cm Sculpture . 13 x 4.3 x 4.3 inch

€195

Photography, Tom Jones, Yannick Saillet

Yannick Saillet

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

€1,800

Painting, Happy flowers, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Painting, Love feelings, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

Print, San Goku, Ysy

Ysy

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

€380

Painting, Tribute to Banksy, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

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

€50

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