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, Paysage chinois 715, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Paysage chinois 710, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Paysage chinois 704, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€600

Painting, Mild Blush, Max Kulich

Max Kulich

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

€1,346

Painting, Mikonos, AVEL Muñoz

AVEL Muñoz

Painting . 45 x 38 x 3 cm Painting . 17.7 x 15 x 1.2 inch

€1,000

Print, Print Goldorak #3, Tarek

Tarek

Print . 32 x 22.5 x 0.1 cm Print . 12.6 x 8.9 x 0 inch

€90

Fine Art Drawings, Onde, Sabatina Leccia

Sabatina Leccia

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 20 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€2,000

Fine Art Drawings, The Bald Man, Timi O

Timi O

Fine Art Drawings . 29 x 20.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.4 x 8.1 x 0 inch

€583

Painting, I'm free, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Pop Warhol, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 30 x 21 x 0.2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inch

€50

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

Fine Art Drawings, Nurse and dog, Ray Smith

Ray Smith

Fine Art Drawings . 27 x 37 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 10.6 x 14.6 x 0 inch

€1,100

Sculpture, Sunday, Scott Troxel

Scott Troxel

Sculpture . 27.3 x 31.1 x 5.1 cm Sculpture . 10.75 x 12.25 x 2 inch

€1,200

Fine Art Drawings, White figures, Waleria Matelska

Waleria Matelska

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€180

Print, Abaque, Eduardo Arroyo

Eduardo Arroyo

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

€200

Painting, Heron No. 9, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€179

Painting, Heron No. 6, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€179

Painting, Radiant, Elizabeth Becker

Elizabeth Becker

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

€359

Fine Art Drawings, Bulles, Olivier Picy

Olivier Picy

Fine Art Drawings . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

€140

Sculpture, Untitled, Vahan Roumelian

Vahan Roumelian

Sculpture . 31 x 38 x 20 cm Sculpture . 12.2 x 15 x 7.9 inch

€3,400

Sculpture, La nasse, Pascal Billard

Pascal Billard

Sculpture . 40 x 23 x 10 cm Sculpture . 15.7 x 9.1 x 3.9 inch

€1,280

Sculpture, Bird of Mahoroma, Emiko Makino

Emiko Makino

Sculpture . 45 x 24 x 16.5 cm Sculpture . 17.7 x 9.4 x 6.5 inch

€3,100

Painting, Vogue love is life, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€50

Painting, Freddie Mercury, Dr. Love

Dr. Love

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€149

Painting, Acabxs, Remix

Remix

Painting . 49 x 33 x 3 cm Painting . 19.3 x 13 x 1.2 inch

€590

Painting, Innocence, Nicoleta Stati

Nicoleta Stati

Painting . 40 x 30 x 3.7 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 1.5 inch

€987

Sculpture, Penna, Scott Troxel

Scott Troxel

Sculpture . 22.9 x 39.4 x 5.1 cm Sculpture . 9 x 15.5 x 2 inch

€1,900

Fine Art Drawings, K1959, Harald Kröner

Harald Kröner

Fine Art Drawings . 37 x 36 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.6 x 14.2 inch

€1,566

Painting, Dreamland, Maria Esmar

Maria Esmar

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

€900

Painting, La posture, L'Aimant Libre

L'Aimant Libre

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2.5 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 1 inch

€400

Painting, For myself, Michael Grine

Michael Grine

Painting . 35.6 x 27.9 x 0.3 cm Painting . 14 x 11 x 0.1 inch

€359

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