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, Greece, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€310

Painting, Coast, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 37 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 14.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€300

Painting, White Sea, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 24 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€360

Sculpture, Narturo, Manuel Mediavilla

Manuel Mediavilla

Sculpture . 33 x 20 x 12 cm Sculpture . 13 x 7.9 x 4.7 inch

€3,500

Painting, Waterline, Marina Belousova

Marina Belousova

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 4.1 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 1.6 inch

€267

Painting, Current, Marina Belousova

Marina Belousova

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 4.1 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 1.6 inch

€267

Fine Art Drawings, Catch the wave, Ekaterina Zaznova

Ekaterina Zaznova

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€526

Photography, Le Grand bleu light, Samsofy

Samsofy

Photography . 36 x 24 x 0.5 cm Photography . 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.2 inch

€60

Photography, #3, Chloé Laval

#3

Chloé Laval

Photography . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€130

Painting, Sea landscape, Irina Anis

Irina Anis

Painting . 43 x 39 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.9 x 15.4 x 0 inch

€240

Painting, Superstructure, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 28 x 35.5 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€418

Fine Art Drawings, Porto Pollo _16, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€460

Painting, Fishing Day, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€356

Painting, Warm Sea, Tatyana Derdey

Tatyana Derdey

Painting . 35 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€415

Painting, White rocks No1, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€579 €521

Painting, Round Ocean #69, Ana Hefco

Ana Hefco

Painting . 38.1 x 38.1 x 2 cm Painting . 15 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€312

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, Tug, Nigel Bailey

Tug

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 25.4 x 25.4 x 0.5 cm Painting . 10 x 10 x 0.2 inch

€342

Painting, Rough sea, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 35.5 x 45.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 14 x 18 x 0.2 inch

€456

Painting, Manly beach NSW, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 25.4 x 25.4 x 0.5 cm Painting . 10 x 10 x 0.2 inch

€270 €252