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…

Read more
Painting, Landscape, Martine Elhaik

Martine Elhaik

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

€300

Painting, Blue water lilies, ZiB

ZiB

Painting . 33 x 46 x 1.7 cm Painting . 13 x 18.1 x 0.7 inch

€576

Painting, Plongeon, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.01 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, Contemplation, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Harmonie, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€200

Painting, Composition, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 41.5 x 29.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 16.3 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Landscape, Martine Elhaik

Martine Elhaik

Painting . 30 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€250

Painting, Swing XXVII, Sia Aryai

Sia Aryai

Painting . 29.2 x 21.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.5 x 8.5 x 0.2 inch

€476

Painting, Vitraux, Toussaint

Toussaint

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

€540

Painting, Paysage, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€90

Painting, Bord de mer, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Oasis, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€200

Painting, Effervescence, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€300

Painting, Expansion, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 41.5 x 29.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 16.3 x 11.6 x 0 inch

€400

Painting, Contrastes, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 30 x 40 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€200

Painting, Supplique, Danielle Lamaison

Danielle Lamaison

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

€200

Painting, Aquarelle, Isabelle Marie

Isabelle Marie

Painting . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.01 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€200

Painting, Black 74, Paolo Ambrosio

Paolo Ambrosio

Painting . 50 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€120

Painting, Portrait, Guy Ghazanchyan

Guy Ghazanchyan

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€600

Painting, Poissons Jaunes, Hayvon

Hayvon

Painting . 37 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 14.6 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€210

Painting, Fishes abstrait, Hayvon

Hayvon

Painting . 37 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 14.6 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€210

Painting, Fishes abstrait, Hayvon

Hayvon

Painting . 37 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 14.6 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€210

Photography, Iris, Justin Pumfrey

Justin Pumfrey

Photography . 41 x 30 x 0.01 cm Photography . 16.1 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€465

Painting, Plein Air, Kamsar Ohanyan

Kamsar Ohanyan

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Self-Portrait 25.21, Arthur Hent

Arthur Hent

Fine Art Drawings . 34 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 13.4 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€180

Painting, Goldy 3, Nat Stresser

Nat Stresser

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

€350

Painting, Texas Where?, Rocio Ahnert

Rocio Ahnert

Painting . 27 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€337

Painting, BlacK 50, Paolo Ambrosio

Paolo Ambrosio

Painting . 50 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€120

Painting, Black 92, Paolo Ambrosio

Paolo Ambrosio

Painting . 50 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€120

Painting, Black 91, Paolo Ambrosio

Paolo Ambrosio

Painting . 50 x 35 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€120

16/18