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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Fine Art Drawings, Triptych My Thailand 2, Dizlarka

Dizlarka

Fine Art Drawings . 37.5 x 18 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.8 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€320

Fine Art Drawings, Waiting at Noon, 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

€229

Painting, Chicago #1, John Ferry

John Ferry

Painting . 40.64 x 25.4 x 0.1 cm Painting . 16 x 10 x 0 inch

€1,870

Fine Art Drawings, For my Dad, Michael Alan

Michael Alan

Fine Art Drawings . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11 x 14 x 0.04 inch

€3,300

Fine Art Drawings, Babel, Jean-Jacques André

Jean-Jacques André

Fine Art Drawings . 38 x 38 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15 x 15 x 0.4 inch

€590

Painting, Evening Stop, Kamo Ohanyan

Kamo Ohanyan

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

€329 €264

Painting, Silence 2, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

Painting . 29 x 29 x 2 cm Painting . 11.4 x 11.4 x 0.8 inch

€160

Painting, Journey II, Sona Adalyan

Sona Adalyan

Painting . 30 x 40 x 1.8 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

€290

Painting, Waiting, Sona Adalyan

Sona Adalyan

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

€299

Photography, Blue Pearl, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 26.7 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.5 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€700

Print, Talenti Park, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Print . 29.7 x 42 x 0.2 cm Print . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0.1 inch

€80

Print, Énigme, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Print . 25 x 35 x 0.1 cm Print . 9.8 x 13.8 x 0 inch

€80

Painting, Magic city, Samiran Boruah

Samiran Boruah

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

€450

Painting, Seascape-1, Anand Manchiraju

Anand Manchiraju

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.1 inch

€2,288

Photography, Yurakucho, Mirei

Mirei

Photography . 20 x 27 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.6 inch

€350

Painting, Normandy, Abashidze Marusya

Abashidze Marusya

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

€280

Painting, Old City, Abashidze Marusya

Abashidze Marusya

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

€270

Painting, Sumy gazebo, Shapoval Ivan

Shapoval Ivan

Painting . 44 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 17.3 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€465

Painting, 5 pm, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€632

Painting, Car Wash, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

€677

Painting, Prague -Love, Sona Adalyan

Sona Adalyan

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

€190

Painting, Ein Carem, Dondi Schwartz

Dondi Schwartz

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

€550

Photography, Crossroad, Fabrizio Alzati

Fabrizio Alzati

Photography . 20 x 27 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.6 inch

€350

Painting, Old Paris, Kamsar Ohanyan

Kamsar Ohanyan

Painting . 40 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€400

20/23