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, Mirror, Maciej Leszczynski

Maciej Leszczynski

Photography . 18 x 28 cm Photography . 7.1 x 11 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Rejet, 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, Bush, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Garden, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Forest, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Park, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Pond, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Trees, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Botanica, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€249

Painting, Village, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€275

Painting, Apiary, Leonid K.

Leonid K.

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

€275

Painting, Standstill, Ksenia Tsyganyuk

Ksenia Tsyganyuk

Painting . 40 x 35 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13.8 x 0.6 inch

€580

Painting, Fruit Picking, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 30 x 42 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€250

Painting, Autumn Landscape, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€250

Painting, Autumnal hints, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€150

Painting, Landscape, Sirio Pellegrini

Sirio Pellegrini

Painting . 36 x 42 x 0.5 cm Painting . 14.2 x 16.5 x 0.2 inch

€2,800

Painting, Rushing Waters, Emily Mae

Emily Mae

Painting . 21 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€189

Painting, Old fence, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, Three trees, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, Two trees, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, My garden 5524, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€550

Painting, The Giant, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting . 20 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€750

Painting, Springtime 55, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€500

Painting, Sans titre, Patrick Loste

Patrick Loste

Painting . 32 x 22 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 8.7 x 0 inch

€1,000

Painting, Dead tree, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€5,100

16/31