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, Venetian Dream, Kamo Atoyan

Kamo Atoyan

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

€271

Painting, W60, Peter de Boer

W60

Peter de Boer

Painting . 24 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€600

Painting, Slow Boat, Melinda Patrick

Melinda Patrick

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 1 inch

€348

Sculpture, Porsche Carrera, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 13 x 30 x 6 cm Sculpture . 5.1 x 11.8 x 2.4 inch

€250

Painting, Fifty Four, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 40.5 x 46 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.9 x 18.1 x 0.2 inch

€532

Print, Kamhan Deli, Garner

Garner

Print . 33 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Print . 13 x 19 x 0 inch

€600

Painting, Urban Skies, Grace Diehl

Grace Diehl

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.8 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.7 inch

€833

Painting, Burbuja segura, El Toni

El Toni

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

€500

Painting, Paradise, Eric Munsch

Eric Munsch

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

€1,500

Painting, Evening rest, Vik Schroeder

Vik Schroeder

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

€2,500

Painting, Street view, Pappay

Pappay

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

€880

Photography, Atlantic Road, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 35.6 x 23.7 x 0.1 cm Photography . 14 x 9.3 x 0 inch

€1,495

Painting, Twilight Journey, Kamo Ohanyan

Kamo Ohanyan

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

€406 €346

Painting, Porsche 911, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, Courage, Jia Yuan Hua

Jia Yuan Hua

Painting . 40 x 50 x 4 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

€3,200

Painting, Untitled 46, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

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

€120

Painting, Regatta, Yehor Dulin

Yehor Dulin

Painting . 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€361

Painting, Vaixell al port, Alicia Grau

Alicia Grau

Painting . 27 x 33.5 x 1 cm Painting . 10.6 x 13.2 x 0.4 inch

€550

Painting, RTU176712, Yigit Yazici

Yigit Yazici

Painting . 34.5 x 45 x 1.5 cm Painting . 13.6 x 17.7 x 0.6 inch

€2,528

Painting, Harbor in Motion, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

€180 €153

Photography, Andros Island, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 41 x 41 cm Photography . 16.1 x 16.1 inch

€2,550

Painting, Joker phoenix, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, 911 porsche, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, Trio de ferrari GTO, PyB

PyB

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

€200

Painting, Willin', Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 45.8 x 45.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18 x 18 x 0.2 inch

€760

Painting, Beach Vibes, Grace Diehl

Grace Diehl

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 1.8 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.7 inch

€833

Painting, Fading Strength, Mexak Xazaryan

Mexak Xazaryan

Painting . 24 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€199 €169

Painting, Boats at Rest, Vahe Bagumyan

Vahe Bagumyan

Painting . 24 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 9.4 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

€180 €153

Painting, Port. Yachts, Elena Petrova

Elena Petrova

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

€451

Photography, Tunnel, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

€500