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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Paysage aux deux arbres

Rouge flamboyant

La montagne rose

Spirale en mouvement

Composition organique

Nature et éléments

Nature et imaginaire

Impressions paysagères

Ciel flamboyant

Palmier flamboyant (1)

Palmier flamboyant

Intrigue

Bouquet printanier

Métamorphose

Coucher de soleil

Expansion

Trio

Taches en mouvement (1) (1)

Perspective

La lumière de l'oiseau

Femme et enfants en bord de mer

Motifs de fleurs rouge

La montagne sacrée

Horizon

Réveil

L'apogée 1

Midnight Luster

Green Everywhere (Caribbean dream)

Crystaline Purple

Reimagined panorama 5

Reimagined panorama 3

Reimagined panorama 4,

Reimagined panorama

La Rose

Achondrite

Végétation florale multicolore

Végétation florale tropicale

Funny

Happy Tribu

Sans titre 46

Pattern Series #2

REF 18-24 - Composition n° 69

REF 17-24 - Composition n° 68

Kasumi_3

Kasumi_12

Kasumi_15

Kasumi_18

White Tiger Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Formas

Formas

Invisible Narratives 3.

Wild pink flowers

Metaphysics of the hushed indifference

Cornflowers in summer

Poppies in Provence

"Stories Told by the Fan" 2 in diptych

"Stories Told by the Fan" 1 in the diptych

"Reflection of the Northern Lights in the Waves of the Southern Sea" 1 of diptych

Orchard in spring

Flowers on the Branches of My Soul

Winter

Morning sunlight

Flaming autumn

Fisher Cat Dreams

Provence 5524

Wild summer flowers

Wild field flowers

Waterlilies on a blue pond