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, Port. Yachts, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€450

Painting, Boats at Rest, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

Painting . 24 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€179

Painting, Petra's Sea, Matt Kirby

Matt Kirby

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

€490

Painting, Sunset No5, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€225

Painting, Lighthouse N3, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€270

Painting, Faulensee, Vik Schroeder

Vik Schroeder

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

€500

Painting, Oraison, Florence V. Henric

Florence V. Henric

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

€850

Painting, Indigo, Florence V. Henric

Florence V. Henric

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

€850

Painting, Lieu 2, Manuela Ferreira

Manuela Ferreira

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2.5 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 1 inch

€270

Painting, Pizza I, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

€270

Painting, Mutant II, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

€270

Fine Art Drawings, Le Chaland-Rose, Karin Boinet

Karin Boinet

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.7 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€620

Fine Art Drawings, Sea No7, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Fine Art Drawings . 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€261

Fine Art Drawings, Powerful wave No4, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Fine Art Drawings . 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€261

Fine Art Drawings, Sea No10, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€261

Painting, Winter coast, Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

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

€740

Painting, Cancale, Jacques Guillet

Jacques Guillet

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

€450

Painting, Beach Study, Mark Hunter

Mark Hunter

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 1 inch

€630

Painting, Sunset sea, Filomena Booth

Filomena Booth

Painting . 27.9 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€315

Painting, Castelo 2, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€266

Painting, Cefalu rocks, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€266

Painting, Castelo, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€265

Painting, Creation 2, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 39.9 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€377

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