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, 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

Fine Art Drawings, Le bord du Morin, Olivier Picy

Olivier Picy

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

€140

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 33 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Painting, Sans titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€1,199

Painting, Sans Titre, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Painting . 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting . 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€1,200

Fine Art Drawings, Trees-II, Stanislav Bojankov

Stanislav Bojankov

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 25 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 9.8 x 0 inch

€110

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

Painting, Quasi buio, Mauro Tròlese

Mauro Tròlese

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

€189

Painting, Urban Suburb, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

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

€316

Painting, Cloud, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 20 x 31.5 x 0.2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 12.4 x 0.1 inch

€452

Painting, Ethereal Journey, Grace Diehl

Grace Diehl

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.8 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.7 inch

€834

Painting, Warsaw 3, Joanna Woyda

Joanna Woyda

Painting . 22 x 49 cm Painting . 8.7 x 19.3 inch

€350

Painting, Vual, Alessandra Bisi

Alessandra Bisi

Painting . 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€170

Painting, Xiao hua 5, San Zi

San Zi

Painting . 32 x 28 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€2,500

Painting, Oak, Valery Savenets

Oak

Valery Savenets

Painting . 30 x 21 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.8 inch

€255

Painting, Two trees, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€300

Painting, Blooming Haven, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€180 €154

Painting, Maulévrier, Autonne

Autonne

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

€900

Painting, Automne, Anton

Anton

Painting . 30 x 30 x 1.8 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.7 inch

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Ramures, 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

Photography, The Call, Valeriia Burliuk

Valeriia Burliuk

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

€350

Painting, Swan Pond, Janet Dyer

Janet Dyer

Painting . 35.6 x 45.7 x 2 cm Painting . 14 x 18 x 0.8 inch

€488

Painting, Barn Idyllic, Elena Lukina

Elena Lukina

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

€800

Painting, Warm autumn, Yuriy Demiyanov

Yuriy Demiyanov

Painting . 35 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€1,260

Painting, Salvia 352, Nagsoul

Nagsoul

Painting . 25 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€600

Painting, Warsaw 4, Joanna Woyda

Joanna Woyda

Painting . 22 x 49 cm Painting . 8.7 x 19.3 inch

€350

Painting, Xiao hua III, San Zi

San Zi

Painting . 32 x 28 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€2,500

Painting, Xiao hua I, San Zi

San Zi

Painting . 32 x 28 x 1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€2,500

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