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, Au Grand Radeau, Yves Brayer

Yves Brayer

Fine Art Drawings . 20.5 x 29.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.1 x 11.6 inch

€500

Painting, Landscape 13, Layla Dagher

Layla Dagher

Painting . 26 x 26 cm Painting . 10.2 x 10.2 inch

€900

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Vladimir Velickovic

Vladimir Velickovic

Fine Art Drawings . 32.5 x 20.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.8 x 8.1 inch

€1,150

Painting, Untitled, Ferran Roca Bon

Ferran Roca Bon

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

€900

Painting, Green afternoon, Ewa Adams

Ewa Adams

Painting . 30 x 30 x 4 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

€873

Painting, Totems de loups, Tarek

Tarek

Painting . 46 x 38 x 1 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, At the Threshold, Vera Hoi

Vera Hoi

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

€600

Painting, First light, Carla Bosch

Carla Bosch

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,950

Painting, Réf/6981, Patrick Loste

Patrick Loste

Painting . 42 x 32 cm Painting . 16.5 x 12.6 inch

€950

Print, Dream, Jean-Michel Folon

Jean-Michel Folon

Print . 28 x 35.5 x 0.2 cm Print . 11 x 14 x 0.1 inch

€2,200

Painting, Chat, Juan Li

Juan Li

Painting . 47 x 36 x 1 cm Painting . 18.5 x 14.2 x 0.4 inch

€800 €720

Painting, Untitled, Ghada Jamal

Ghada Jamal

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

€1,350

Photography, Solitude, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch

€600

Print, Untitled - 3, Man Ray

Man Ray

Print . 49 x 34.5 cm Print . 19.3 x 13.6 inch

€1,500

Painting, Sea side, Mira Vitarello

Mira Vitarello

Painting . 22.9 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm Painting . 9 x 11 x 1 inch

€1,265

Fine Art Drawings, Fin de journée, Linda Clerget

Linda Clerget

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€500

Fine Art Drawings, REX SYLVARIUM, Pierre Touron

Pierre Touron

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€800

Painting, L'arbre, Aline Pouget

Aline Pouget

Painting . 38 x 46 x 1 cm Painting . 15 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

€1,100

Painting, La porteuse, Michel Rauscher

Michel Rauscher

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

€1,100

Print, Bidea, Laura Nieto

Laura Nieto

Print . 34.2 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch

€695

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