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, Space of Thought, Jin-Goo Yu

Jin-Goo Yu

Painting . 43.3 x 40.8 x 2 cm Painting . 17 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€2,900

Painting, Soleil, Sylvie Eudes

Sylvie Eudes

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

€2,400

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 33 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Port, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€210

Painting, Coastal Flora, Despa Hondros

Despa Hondros

Painting . 46 x 36 x 4 cm Painting . 18.1 x 14.2 x 1.6 inch

€1,300

Painting, Evening, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 24 x 34 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.4 x 0.8 inch

€405

Painting, Wave, Lusie Schellenberg

Lusie Schellenberg

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

€897

Painting, The far shores, Paul B

Paul B

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

€994

Painting, Sea side, Mira Vitarello

Mira Vitarello

Painting . 22.9 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm Painting . 9 x 11 x 1 inch

€1,265

Painting, Mother, Malgorzata Limon

Malgorzata Limon

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,500

Painting, Away, Nicolas Ruelle

Nicolas Ruelle

Painting . 50 x 50 x 2.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1 inch

€320

Painting, Sunset, Janusz Szpyt

Janusz Szpyt

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

€1,100

Painting, El Mar, Leonardo Nierman

Leonardo Nierman

Painting . 12.7 x 32.4 cm Painting . 5 x 12.75 inch

€2,244

Print, Figures on beach, Alex Katz

Alex Katz

Print . 34.8 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€5,000

Painting, Toi et moi, Eurgal

Eurgal

Painting . 40 x 40 x 2.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1 inch

€1,200

Painting, Cyclades, Kerfily

Kerfily

Painting . 33 x 41 x 2.5 cm Painting . 13 x 16.1 x 1 inch

€450

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 41 x 33 x 1 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Seaward, Susan C

Susan C

Painting . 44.5 x 44.5 x 3 cm Painting . 17.5 x 17.5 x 1.2 inch

€1,006

Painting, Sky 045, Claude Francheteau

Claude Francheteau

Painting . 27 x 27 x 5 cm Painting . 10.6 x 10.6 x 2 inch

€405

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Camille Adra

Camille Adra

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 inch

€200

Painting, Belle Journée, Sylvie Eudes

Sylvie Eudes

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

€2,400

Painting, Deep blue, Mitra Deldar

Mitra Deldar

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 2 inch

€987

Painting, Timeless tides, Paul B

Paul B

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

€994

Painting, Sunset No2, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€341

Painting, Landscape, Martine Elhaik

Martine Elhaik

Painting . 20 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€250

Painting, Surfer, Peter de Boer

Peter de Boer

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

€900

Photography, Intervals 2., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

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

€320