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, Divine fleur, Christy

Christy

Painting . 45 x 31 x 1 cm Painting . 17.7 x 12.2 x 0.4 inch

€1,050

Fine Art Drawings, Perspectival study, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 33 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.4 x 13 x 0 inch

€110

Painting, Winter at home, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Summer, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, November, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Along my river, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Fine Art Drawings, Château, Hermann Paul

Hermann Paul

Fine Art Drawings . 32 x 25.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12.6 x 10 x 0.1 inch

€400

Painting, Fresh Prince, Michael Alan

Michael Alan

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.1 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.04 inch

€2,350

Painting, Dream, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€298

Painting, Au creux de l'arbre, Navema

Navema

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

€560

Painting, Au bord du gouffre, Navema

Navema

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

€560

Painting, Guérison, Navema

Navema

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

€760

Painting, Le Passage, Navema

Navema

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

€850

Painting, Niño 2, Eduardo Candil

Eduardo Candil

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€600

Painting, Little river, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Autumn, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 31 x 41 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 16.1 x 0 inch

€150

Painting, Eau courant, Marie-Aude Molin

Marie-Aude Molin

Painting . 40 x 50 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

€450

Fine Art Drawings, Untitled, Gerard Sala

Gerard Sala

Fine Art Drawings . 45 x 32.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 17.7 x 12.8 inch

€1,300

Painting, Paysage 14, Qiong qiong Shao

Qiong qiong Shao

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

€900

Fine Art Drawings, Sunset, Dali Nazarishvili

Dali Nazarishvili

Fine Art Drawings . 27 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€1,500

Painting, What?, Juffrouw Springtouw

Juffrouw Springtouw

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

€950

Fine Art Drawings, Landscape, Armin Guther

Armin Guther

Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 32 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.4 x 12.6 x 0.1 inch

€300

Painting, December, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€389

Painting, Falling, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€298

Painting, Luminous, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 38.1 x 27.9 cm Painting . 15 x 11 inch

€163

Painting, Serene, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€208

Painting, Vulnerable, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 38.1 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€208

Painting, Solitude, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

Painting . 38.1 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€181

Painting, Aglow, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€253

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