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
Photography, Musée du Louvre, Paul Khayat

Paul Khayat

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

€500

Photography, White Spirit V, Angélique

Angélique

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

€1,500

Photography, Le panier, Claude Vesco

Claude Vesco

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

€450

Photography, Untitled #4, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, 135 Méga-Jul #7, Samzaï

Samzaï

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.5 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch

€165

Photography, Vibration, Andres Romero

Andres Romero

Photography . 30 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€450

Photography, Superman Parade, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,333

Photography, El Principe, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

€839 €755

Photography, Memories III, Victoria Dearing

Victoria Dearing

Photography . 27.5 x 44.5 x 0.3 cm Photography . 10.8 x 17.5 x 0.1 inch

€900 €810

Photography, Liz & Dick, Bert Stern

Bert Stern

Photography . 33 x 48 cm Photography . 13 x 18.9 inch

€3,900

Photography, 135 Méga-Jul #2, Samzaï

Samzaï

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.5 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch

€165

Photography, Algas 45-XIX, Paola Dávila

Paola Dávila

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

€2,257

Photography, Les menottes, Arnaud Baumann

Arnaud Baumann

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

€950

Photography, KO, Arnaud Baumann

KO

Arnaud Baumann

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

€950

Photography, 135 Méga-Jul #6, Samzaï

Samzaï

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.5 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch

€165

Photography, Dog Wash, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,333

Photography, Basketball, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,333

Photography, Portrait #2, D-A Woisard

D-A Woisard

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

€1,200

Photography, Dancing, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,333

Photography, 24h du Mans, Jacques Violet

Jacques Violet

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

€400

Photography, Untitled #3, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, L'ancien temps, Marick

Marick

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

€350

Photography, Untitled #1, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, Ram Dad, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,333

Photography, Iman, Thierry Le Gouès

Thierry Le Gouès

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€4,200

Photography, Untitled #10, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

€1,100

Photography, Busy Street, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,333

Photography, Dark, Andres Romero

Andres Romero

Photography . 30 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€450