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, Green Harmony, Tetyana S.

Tetyana S.

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

€279

Sculpture, Ce monde me renverse, Michadu

Michadu

Sculpture . 41 x 50 x 20 cm Sculpture . 16.1 x 19.7 x 7.9 inch

€1,400

Painting, Réf/8797, Patrick Loste

Patrick Loste

Painting . 26.5 x 21 cm Painting . 10.4 x 8.3 inch

€700

Painting, Refectory church, Andrii G.

Andrii G.

Painting . 25 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€229

Painting, Echoes of red, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

€450 €405

Painting, Sea walk, Natalya Mougenot

Natalya Mougenot

Painting . 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€450

Painting, Voyage N°8, Eric Munsch

Eric Munsch

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€590

Painting, My village, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Mon Colvert, Noël Granger

Noël Granger

Painting . 21 x 29 x 0.1 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€120

Painting, Miss you, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€185

Design, Tristan Eaton, Bearbrick

Bearbrick

Design . 28 x 14 x 8.5 cm Design . 11 x 5.5 x 3.3 inch

€250

Painting, Shadow Forest, Sophie Duplain

Sophie Duplain

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

€600 €540

Painting, Dreamer, Yelena Dilanyan

Yelena Dilanyan

Painting . 29.5 x 23.5 x 3 cm Painting . 11.6 x 9.3 x 1.2 inch

€2,500

Print, La fille 1975, Rodney Haker

Rodney Haker

Print . 40 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€290

Painting, Slow Boat, Melinda Patrick

Melinda Patrick

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

€344

Painting, Bowie Space oddity, Spaco

Spaco

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

€210

Painting, Wild flowers, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Icy, cibiArt

Icy

cibiArt

Painting . 50 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€750

Painting, The Party, Irfan Ajvazi

Irfan Ajvazi

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

€1,800

Painting, Monsieur Renaud, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, Little Tree, Timon Sloane

Timon Sloane

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 0.5 inch

€513