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, #7, Julien Espiaut

#7

Julien Espiaut

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

€390

Photography, NYC, Stanislas Liban

NYC

Stanislas Liban

Photography . 30 x 40 x 0.01 cm Photography . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€800

Painting, The Queens Walk, Richard K

Richard K

Painting . 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€1,273

Painting, Summer flood, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€450

Painting, Wild West End, David Tycho

David Tycho

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

€1,500

Painting, Andalucia, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Painting . 31 x 20.5 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 8.1 x 0 inch

€90

Painting, Greek Island XI, Kosta Morr

Kosta Morr

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

€250

Photography, Sans 1, Lucien Hervé

Lucien Hervé

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

€3,000

Fine Art Drawings, Erbalonga, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€1,100

Fine Art Drawings, Le port de Toulon, Matthieu Dorval

Matthieu Dorval

Fine Art Drawings . 29.5 x 41.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.6 x 16.3 x 0 inch

€1,100

Painting, Rodez, Francine Ledieu

Francine Ledieu

Painting . 24.5 x 36 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.6 x 14.2 x 0 inch

€1,300

Painting, Selo-B, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

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

€250 €225

Sculpture, Visa-vie, Fanjol

Fanjol

Sculpture . 28 x 14 x 14 cm Sculpture . 11 x 5.5 x 5.5 inch

€5,500

Painting, Au loin, Bruno Spadaro

Bruno Spadaro

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

€840

Sculpture, Septième ciel, Fanjol

Fanjol

Sculpture . 32 x 27 x 24 cm Sculpture . 12.6 x 10.6 x 9.4 inch

€4,800

Fine Art Drawings, Hong Kong, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

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

€220

Painting, Cloudy Day, Eter Merkviladze

Eter Merkviladze

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

€750

Painting, Birds, Rinalds Vanadzins

Rinalds Vanadzins

Painting . 49.8 x 39.9 x 1.8 cm Painting . 19.6 x 15.7 x 0.7 inch

€905

Painting, New York, Louis Magre

Louis Magre

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

€1,400

Painting, Toboggan, Marie Vandooren

Marie Vandooren

Painting . 30 x 40 x 5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 2 inch

€690

Painting, Ville orange, Karin Boinet

Karin Boinet

Painting . 46 x 35 cm Painting . 18.1 x 13.8 inch

€850

Painting, Split Shadow, David Walker

David Walker

Painting . 35 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 13.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€1,086

Painting, Venise !, Noël Granger

Noël Granger

Painting . 21 x 29 x 0.1 cm Painting . 8.3 x 11.4 x 0 inch

€120

Photography, Karaoke, Camille Levert

Camille Levert

Photography . 50 x 50 x 7 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 2.8 inch

€5,500