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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Photography, Escape, Mario Tarantino

Mario Tarantino

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€605

Painting, City O, Valérie Lamarre

Valérie Lamarre

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

€680

Painting, City life, Kovalenko Ivan

Kovalenko Ivan

Painting . 40 x 48 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 18.9 x 0.8 inch

€275

Painting, Enclosed, Dyala Khodary

Dyala Khodary

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

€1,000

Photography, Ganga Talao, Jean-Guy Nakars

Jean-Guy Nakars

Photography . 20 x 37.5 x 0.1 cm Photography . 7.9 x 14.8 x 0 inch

€519

Painting, Selo H, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

Painting . 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 1 inch

€160

Painting, Silhouette, Friedhard Meyer

Friedhard Meyer

Painting . 50 x 50 x 5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 2 inch

€680

Photography, Gravité, Alexis Duclos

Alexis Duclos

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€680

Fine Art Drawings, Batty, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Fine Art Drawings . 45.7 x 30.5 x 0 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18 x 12 x 0.01 inch

€275

Painting, Canal à Venise, Kalus

Kalus

Painting . 32 x 11 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.6 x 4.3 x 0 inch

€120

Painting, Chez Juliette, Galka

Galka

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

€550

Painting, Cloudy July, Valery Savenets

Valery Savenets

Painting . 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€270

Painting, May Morning, Valery Savenets

Valery Savenets

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

€250

Photography, Old days, Ali Buhamad

Ali Buhamad

Photography . 50 x 40 x 5 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 2 inch

€458

Painting, Homes, Koa

Koa

Painting . 24 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€270

Painting, Quiet Village Lane, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€275 €220

Painting, Cancale, Jacques Guillet

Jacques Guillet

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

€450

Painting, Paris, Pierre Allard

Pierre Allard

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€300

Photography, St Lazare #05, Bogdan Kotewicz

Bogdan Kotewicz

Photography . 50 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€820

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled 253, Tarek Butayhi

Tarek Butayhi

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

€700

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