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, Village, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

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

€295

Fine Art Drawings, Cadence, Bob Palmerton

Bob Palmerton

Fine Art Drawings . 40.6 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 16 x 12 x 0.5 inch

€556

Fine Art Drawings, The Ash Tree, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€175

Painting, Dawn, Silvia Vassileva

Silvia Vassileva

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 1 inch

€785

Painting, Forest smell, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€230

Painting, Evening city, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 22 x 32 x 2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 12.6 x 0.8 inch

€270

Painting, Last warm days, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 25 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

€250

Painting, City Park, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 35 x 49 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 19.3 x 0.8 inch

€250

Painting, City street, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 32.5 x 42.5 x 2 cm Painting . 12.8 x 16.7 x 0.8 inch

€235

Painting, City center, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 36.4 x 46.5 x 2 cm Painting . 14.3 x 18.3 x 0.8 inch

€315

Painting, Outdoors, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 34 x 46.5 x 2 cm Painting . 13.4 x 18.3 x 0.8 inch

€235

Painting, Forest walk, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 35 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€235

Painting, Near the lake, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 39 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€230

Painting, Twilight, Peter Tovpev

Peter Tovpev

Painting . 29.5 x 42 x 2 cm Painting . 11.6 x 16.5 x 0.8 inch

€215

Painting, Autumn cold, Ivanyuk Oleksiy

Ivanyuk Oleksiy

Painting . 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€205

Painting, Autumn wind, Ivanyuk Oleksiy

Ivanyuk Oleksiy

Painting . 20 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€205

Painting, Young trees, Ivanyuk Oleksiy

Ivanyuk Oleksiy

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

€385

Print, L'Oise, Alexei Lantsev

Alexei Lantsev

Print . 30.5 x 45 cm Print . 12 x 17.7 inch

€155

Fine Art Drawings, When the Town Sleeps, Nora Shade

Nora Shade

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

€224

Painting, Tree, Manana Eloshvili

Manana Eloshvili

Painting . 44 x 41.5 x 1.5 cm Painting . 17.3 x 16.3 x 0.6 inch

€700

Painting, Morning Light, Helal Uddin

Helal Uddin

Painting . 22.9 x 31 x 0.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12.2 x 0.1 inch

€350

Painting, Winter skating, Gordon Barker

Gordon Barker

Painting . 29 x 29 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.4 x 11.4 x 0.1 inch

€244

Fine Art Drawings, Eastbound Trail, Bob Palmerton

Bob Palmerton

Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 22.9 x 1.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 9 x 0.5 inch

€583

Painting, New Snow, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 0.2 inch

€834

Painting, Snowfield, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 0.2 inch

€834

Painting, Red Canyon, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

€1,390

Print, Portal No. 3, Jane Ward

Jane Ward

Print . 30 x 30 cm Print . 11.8 x 11.8 inch

€385

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