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, Empty coast, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 30 x 39.9 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€305

Painting, Odessa, Oleksandr Khrapachov

Oleksandr Khrapachov

Painting . 21.5 x 29 x 0.02 cm Painting . 8.5 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€273

Painting, River 1, Samiran Boruah

Samiran Boruah

Painting . 27 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€350

Painting, Berges (1), Samiran Boruah

Samiran Boruah

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

€350

Painting, Marine, Isabelle Alberge

Isabelle Alberge

Painting . 22 x 28 x 2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 11 x 0.8 inch

€250

Painting, Sea, Tetiana Chubukova

Sea

Tetiana Chubukova

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

€501

Photography, Ponton nuit, Franck Pourcel

Franck Pourcel

Photography . 24 x 30 cm Photography . 9.4 x 11.8 inch

€500

Photography, Invisible touch, Olivier Morin

Olivier Morin

Photography . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€660

Painting, Cretan boats, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

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

€211

Painting, Dream Road, Lee Yu Min

Lee Yu Min

Painting . 30 x 26 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 10.2 x 1.2 inch

€350

Painting, Peaceful, Katrina Avotina

Katrina Avotina

Painting . 24.9 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€478

Photography, The Base, Sabrina Le Roux

Sabrina Le Roux

Photography . 40 x 50 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 inch

€300

Painting, Sunset Nord, Carole Leprince

Carole Leprince

Painting . 20 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€220

Painting, Force 3, Odette Muller

Odette Muller

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

€550

Photography, La Mujer, Emil Farber

Emil Farber

Photography . 26.5 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.4 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€400

Photography, The Sea, Justina Napiorkowska

Justina Napiorkowska

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

€350

Painting, Les Quatre Pieux, Phil

Phil

Painting . 38 x 46 x 2.2 cm Painting . 15 x 18.1 x 0.9 inch

€280

Fine Art Drawings, Le Petit ilot, Gaelle Beyaert

Gaelle Beyaert

Fine Art Drawings . 31 x 22 x 2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.2 x 8.7 x 0.8 inch

€290

Photography, Birds #8, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Painting, Force 2, Odette Muller

Odette Muller

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

€550

Painting, Coté mer, Phil

Phil

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

€250

Painting, Force 1, Odette Muller

Odette Muller

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

€550

Photography, Birds #6, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Photography, Chaos, Yoland Rafougilet

Yoland Rafougilet

Photography . 30 x 45 x 2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€480

Photography, Shiva, Yoland Rafougilet

Yoland Rafougilet

Photography . 30 x 45 x 2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€480

Photography, Freedom, Jan Brunclík

Jan Brunclík

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0 inch

€450

Photography, Night tide, Richard Dunkley

Richard Dunkley

Photography . 36.6 x 45.7 cm Photography . 14.4 x 18 inch

€242

Photography, Birds #10, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Photography, Birds #9, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Photography, Birds #5, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Photography, Birds #3, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Photography, Birds #1, Karine Nicolleau

Karine Nicolleau

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

€250

Painting, Pink sharks, Mathieu Lucas

Mathieu Lucas

Painting . 40 x 40 x 5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 2 inch

Price upon request

Photography, BayWatch, Clotilde.MJ

Clotilde.MJ

Photography . 33.72 x 45 x 0.3 cm Photography . 13.3 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch

€550

Photography, Belza, Regis Duvignau

Regis Duvignau

Photography . 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€420

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