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, Unnoticed, Timon Sloane

Timon Sloane

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 0.5 inch

€517

Painting, Seaside Solace, Lisa Elley

Lisa Elley

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 3.8 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 1.5 inch

€472

Painting, Indigo Shore, Tiffany Blaise

Tiffany Blaise

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€278

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, Whale, Olga Nikitina

Olga Nikitina

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1.8 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.7 inch

€600

Painting, Gentle Waters, Timon Sloane

Timon Sloane

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 0.5 inch

€517

Fine Art Drawings, The pink sunset, Yulia Belasla

Yulia Belasla

Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 32 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.4 x 12.6 x 0 inch

€674

Painting, Ocean Motion, Olga Nikitina

Olga Nikitina

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1.8 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.7 inch

€550

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, Seashell, Ljubow Jung

Ljubow Jung

Painting . 50 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€736

Painting, Songe, Charles Belle

Charles Belle

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

€6,000

Photography, Golden summer 2, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 23.3 x 33.9 x 0.1 cm Photography . 9.2 x 13.3 x 0 inch

€695

Painting, Fishing Day, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€360

Painting, Wave, Mishurovsky Victor

Mishurovsky Victor

Painting . 20.5 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 8.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€250

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, White day, Vyusal Rain

Vyusal Rain

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 1 inch

€135

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, 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

Painting, Gravity, Anatoly Varvarov

Anatoly Varvarov

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

€850

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