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, Système, Jonathan Pradillon

Jonathan Pradillon

Painting . 35 x 42.2 x 0.4 cm Painting . 13.8 x 16.6 x 0.2 inch

€320

Painting, Como lake, Olga Ponomarenko

Olga Ponomarenko

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

€1,375

Painting, Florence, Olga Ponomarenko

Olga Ponomarenko

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

€1,375

Painting, Batumi, Giorgi Kukhalashvili

Giorgi Kukhalashvili

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

€1,400

Painting, Village, Edgar Quispe

Edgar Quispe

Painting . 32 x 26 cm Painting . 12.6 x 10.2 inch

€380

Painting, Italian town, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 39.9 x 50 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€400

Painting, Landing, David Walker

David Walker

Painting . 39.5 x 39.5 cm Painting . 15.6 x 15.6 inch

€1,421

Painting, Bank Street 2, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 30.4 x 30.4 x 0.3 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

€300 €270

Painting, Old Town, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 30 x 44 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 17.3 x 1.2 inch

€642

Painting, Honfleur, Mike Hall

Mike Hall

Painting . 30 x 35 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€961

Print, Le pont, Jean Commère

Jean Commère

Print . 32 x 24 x 0.05 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

€250

Painting, Petite ville, René Guinand

René Guinand

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

€984

Painting, Refectory church, Andrii G.

Andrii G.

Painting . 25 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€229

Painting, Peñíscola, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 36 x 28 x 3 cm Painting . 14.2 x 11 x 1.2 inch

€800

Fine Art Drawings, Mégalopole A4, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

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

€220

Photography, Intervals 4., Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

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

€320

Sculpture, Unis vers, Fanjol

Fanjol

Sculpture . 43 x 18 x 18 cm Sculpture . 16.9 x 7.1 x 7.1 inch

€6,500

Fine Art Drawings, Mega City, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

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

€220

Painting, Selo-U, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

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

€250 €225

Painting, Train departure, Pappay

Pappay

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

€880 €792

Painting, High & Clear, Moira Hazel

Moira Hazel

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

€1,082

Photography, Horizon, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 26.7 x 35.6 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.5 x 14 x 0 inch

€1,250

Sculpture, Varvara, Alexander Sviyazov

Alexander Sviyazov

Sculpture . 35 x 15 x 10 cm Sculpture . 13.8 x 5.9 x 3.9 inch

€8,000