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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Fine Art Drawings, Petit port du midi, Lyne Seybel

Lyne Seybel

Fine Art Drawings . 37 x 48 x 5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.6 x 18.9 x 2 inch

€340

Painting, Untitled, Vincent Di Giorgio

Vincent Di Giorgio

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

€550

Photography, Girls, Robert Stieghorst

Robert Stieghorst

Photography . 33 x 19 cm Photography . 13 x 7.5 inch

€3,000

Painting, Gurzuf, Vladimir Batrakov

Vladimir Batrakov

Painting . 30 x 42 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0.8 inch

€255

Painting, Vue du port, Tom Davies

Tom Davies

Painting . 16 x 27 x 0.3 cm Painting . 6.3 x 10.6 x 0.1 inch

€1,025

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, Paisatge, Manuel Mayoral

Manuel Mayoral

Painting . 22 x 27 x 3 cm Painting . 8.7 x 10.6 x 1.2 inch

€550

Painting, The ocean calls, Paul B

Paul B

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

€996

Painting, Bliss, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 27 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€580

Painting, Bodega Bay, Ramya Sarvesh

Ramya Sarvesh

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

€524

Painting, Brume matinale, Sophie Dumont

Sophie Dumont

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

€1,100

Painting, Bikini vermell, Alicia Grau

Alicia Grau

Painting . 27 x 46 x 3 cm Painting . 10.6 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch

€1,300

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, Seascape, Antoine Mayo

Antoine Mayo

Painting . 22 x 28 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€590

Painting, Mer indocile, Sylvie Pulur

Sylvie Pulur

Painting . 32 x 24 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inch

€660

Painting, Lull, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

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

€520

Painting, Lanzarote, Karen Le Bellec

Karen Le Bellec

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

€850

Painting, Brise marine, Sophie Dumont

Sophie Dumont

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

€1,690

Painting, Beach time, Mira Vitarello

Mira Vitarello

Painting . 33 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Painting . 13 x 12 x 2 inch

€830

Painting, Surrender, Robert Inestroza

Robert Inestroza

Painting . 27 x 41 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

€580

Painting, Les falaise, Marko Stupar

Marko Stupar

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

€2,800

Painting, Selfie, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

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

€950

Print, Zebulun, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print . 49.5 x 36 x 0.1 cm Print . 19.5 x 14.2 x 0 inch

€1,400

Painting, Pont Aven, Jacques Coquillay

Jacques Coquillay

Painting . 48 x 48 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18.9 x 18.9 x 0.2 inch

€1,500