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, Red Rose 2, Marian Williams

Marian Williams

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€198

Painting, The Bride, Marian Williams

Marian Williams

Painting . 40 x 40 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€400

Painting, Gestalt 6, Remi Delaplace

Remi Delaplace

Painting . 43 x 43 x 3 cm Painting . 16.9 x 16.9 x 1.2 inch

€1,190

Fine Art Drawings, Petite fille, Mariette Lydis

Mariette Lydis

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 25 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 9.8 inch

€500

Painting, Goldorak Coeur, Wawapod

Wawapod

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

€400

Painting, Bardot 2 Bleu, Wawapod

Wawapod

Painting . 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€320

Painting, Backlight, Oleksandr Vynnyk

Oleksandr Vynnyk

Painting . 45 x 25 x 3 cm Painting . 17.7 x 9.8 x 1.2 inch

€223

Photography, Night in SoHo (M), Streety

Streety

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

€350

Painting, Sunny street, Helen Shukina

Helen Shukina

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

€357

Print, Le maquis, Jacob Diboum

Jacob Diboum

Print . 34 x 24 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.4 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Flower I, Mark Hellbusch

Mark Hellbusch

Painting . 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€590

Painting, Inferno, Jack The Killer

Jack The Killer

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Photography, Hêtre, Romain Liverato

Romain Liverato

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

€1,000

Fine Art Drawings, Plaza, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

€220

Painting, My countryside, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€400

Fine Art Drawings, Racines, Olivier Picy

Olivier Picy

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€140

Painting, Have a Caliday, Sa Hara

Sa Hara

Painting . 27.3 x 34.8 x 3 cm Painting . 10.7 x 13.7 x 1.2 inch

€350

Painting, Waves of Still Life, Sa Hara

Sa Hara

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

€350

Painting, Aurore, Jean-Claude Bertrand

Jean-Claude Bertrand

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

€1,690

Painting, Burning Sky, Daria Borisova

Daria Borisova

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

€428

Painting, Prussian Blue 12, Gina Vor

Gina Vor

Painting . 30 x 24 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.1 inch

€200