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, Dutch Waterside, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

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

€350

Photography, Busy Street, Ken Heyman

Ken Heyman

Photography . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography . 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

€4,377

Fine Art Drawings, Snowy Borjomi, Dimitri Turava

Dimitri Turava

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€350

Fine Art Drawings, Bremer Ansicht, Yulia Pugacheva

Yulia Pugacheva

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 21 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€280

Photography, Blues Covid, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€160

Painting, Square-Petrarque, Coha

Coha

Painting . 31 x 41 x 1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch

€950

Painting, Hickson Road, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 45.8 x 45.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18 x 18 x 0.2 inch

€850

Painting, Evening's Glow, Kamo Ohanyan

Kamo Ohanyan

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

€410

Painting, Smith's store, Pappay

Pappay

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

€530

Print, Kamhan Deli, Garner

Garner

Print . 33 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Print . 13 x 19 x 0 inch

€600

Painting, A Dog at Dusk, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€274

Painting, Silver City, By Gem

By Gem

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.4 inch

€1,700

Fine Art Drawings, Metropolis, Tarek

Tarek

Fine Art Drawings . 32 x 24 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€250

Painting, Brooklyn, Karin Boinet

Karin Boinet

Painting . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€650

Photography, Cityscapes I, Mark Elst

Mark Elst

Photography . 40 x 30 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 inch

€350

Painting, Old Paris, Liubou Sas

Liubou Sas

Painting . 50 x 40 x 0.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.2 inch

€3,400

Painting, August, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 45.8 x 45.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18 x 18 x 0.2 inch

€850 €765