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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Photography, Beach time, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Photography . 27 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.6 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€350

Painting, Nebulous, Jane Ti

Jane Ti

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

€359

Painting, Estuary, Mishurovsky Victor

Mishurovsky Victor

Painting . 22 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€225

Painting, Sea, Mishurovsky Victor

Sea

Mishurovsky Victor

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

€235

Painting, Yacht Club, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 21 x 31 x 2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 12.2 x 0.8 inch

€215

Painting, Yacht Club, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 20.5 x 30.5 x 2 cm Painting . 8.1 x 12 x 0.8 inch

€215

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, Petit rayé, Izys

Izys

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

€150

Painting, Clair de lune, Sylvie Pulur

Sylvie Pulur

Painting . 32 x 24 x 3 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

€560

Photography, Allí, Imanol Marrodán

Imanol Marrodán

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

€850

Painting, Cold sea, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€364

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

€314

Painting, Baby wave, Vik Schroeder

Vik Schroeder

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

€400

Painting, Bordighera alta, Galka

Galka

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

€333

Fine Art Drawings, Triptych My Thailand 1, Dizlarka

Dizlarka

Fine Art Drawings . 37.5 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.8 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€314

Painting, By the sea, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€290

Painting, Sunny Beach, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 1.8 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.7 inch

€448

Painting, The snorkelist, Mike Jacobs

Mike Jacobs

Painting . 41 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16.1 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€700

Sculpture, Petit Bronze, Joel Giraud

Joel Giraud

Sculpture . 10 x 31 x 3 cm Sculpture . 3.9 x 12.2 x 1.2 inch

€2,580

Painting, Poulpe, Hervé Maury

Hervé Maury

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

€420

Painting, Oursins, Hervé Maury

Hervé Maury

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

€420

Painting, Ginestart, Raquel Adan

Raquel Adan

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

€600

Painting, Two bathers, Nadezda Stupina

Nadezda Stupina

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

€450

Painting, Normandy, Abashidze Marusya

Abashidze Marusya

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

€280

Painting, Crumbling Ice, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

€742

Painting, Ice Cream, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

€742

Painting, Balcony, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

€742

Painting, Surf Summer, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

€750

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