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, Barfleur, Pascal Plazanet

Pascal Plazanet

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

€1,900

Print, Miranda 2, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Print . 29.7 x 42 x 0.1 cm Print . 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€120

Photography, Last London Bus, Bert Hardy

Bert Hardy

Photography . 31 x 41 x 0.01 cm Photography . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€1,100

Painting, Cat City, Morena MoBe

Morena MoBe

Painting . 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch

€180 €144

Photography, Austin Road, Nathaniel Foster

Nathaniel Foster

Photography . 45 x 30 x 2 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€2,200

Painting, La vie en couleurs, KLO

KLO

Painting . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€120

Painting, Parigot, Veronica Schmitt

Veronica Schmitt

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

€700

Painting, Monochrom N92, Valerii

Valerii

Painting . 40 x 35 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch

€1,750

Photography, Sans 3, Lucien Hervé

Lucien Hervé

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

€3,000

Painting, Sedt, Benoit Boutoille

Benoit Boutoille

Painting . 50 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

€900

Painting, 4 Cassis, Mario Domenicale

Mario Domenicale

Painting . 21 x 36 x 0.3 cm Painting . 8.3 x 14.2 x 0.1 inch

€180

Print, Istanbul 2, Sukran Ulucan

Sukran Ulucan

Print . 33 x 44 x 0.3 cm Print . 13 x 17.3 x 0.1 inch

€650

Fine Art Drawings, Plaza, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

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

€220

Photography, A Chick, Emil Farber

Emil Farber

Photography . 26.5 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.4 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€500

Painting, Venecia, Rafael Griera

Rafael Griera

Painting . 35 x 44 x 1 cm Painting . 13.8 x 17.3 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Bridge, Lluís Puiggrós

Lluís Puiggrós

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

€550

Fine Art Drawings, Cityscape, Jean Chapin

Jean Chapin

Fine Art Drawings . 27.3 x 21 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€380

Painting, NYC, Michel Narbonne

NYC

Michel Narbonne

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

€325

Painting, Sky 030, Claude Francheteau

Claude Francheteau

Painting . 27 x 27 x 5 cm Painting . 10.6 x 10.6 x 2 inch

€405

Painting, Demi lune, Paul Mathey

Paul Mathey

Painting . 30 x 22.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.1 inch

€903

Painting, Central Park, Anmarie Léon

Anmarie Léon

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

€2,400

Photography, Luminescence, Martin Kallay

Martin Kallay

Photography . 45 x 30 x 1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€1,200