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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Subcategories

Small

Fly Over Wide Fields

Convergences

Weltengarten

Aquarelle

Tulip Fields Netherlands #05

Black galaxy

The Agony and Ecstasy

Corail

Mosaica 2

Pattern Series #1

NY Sbarro

The currency: 6274. nobody should hear it

Aloa

Mon regard Korea

Something to lick mini #029

Sans titre 30

Belle pluie 18

Aftershock Energy

Bondi Bathers Butterfly

Cruising

Visage de femme

Totem Jamaïque

Affirmez vos rêves

Love in the Time of Forest Fires

China Asters

NotWithstanding

Untitled

Abstract Composition

Fruitful (Small)

Spring sunset 11

Midnight blooms

Portrait de classe 14

Abstract Composition

Untitled q607

We Move as One

Jour et nuit (ermioni 4h-5h)

F9

Mondrian 3D - NrC5

Still Life - Abstract Series (unique mixed media on paper), 2010

Wildflowers Set

Together

Untitled

Inspiration

Freude 2 - Joy 2

Disco Ball

Untitled

Au-delà 23

Chouette

Unbreakable Bond

Sans titre

Vers les Himalayas

A Moment Of Rest

Arborescence

Plant Life

Only the Strong Survive

Sunset

Reflections of the Port

Composition abstraite

Untitled 197

Untitled

Fluo

Composition 5

Picasso Jazz #2

Buste

Mais vers quoi je danse ?

Hexa Miss Tic Tribute

Abstract birds

Trio du Sud