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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Small

Reconstruction 202206-1

Celestial symphony

Fantasme Venitien III

Fantasme Venitien II

Spring flowers 20240105

Abstract Life 20210910

Abstract Life 20210909

Emotion 20210826

Emotion 20210427

Jojoba Bean Oil

The View Through #3

Percolate

Le petit Chaperaun rouge (2)

Le petit Chaperaun rouge

Krusty x La poste

Cerulean SKies- Etude I

Disappear into the blue depth, Painting, Acrylic on canvas

Urban Box Maison Perrier

Urban Box Pikachu

Abstract Arrangement

Fucking world

Love Colors

Ephemeral Elegance

Blushing Beauty

Day Dream

Statue of Liberty (unique mixed media on paper), 2009

Statue Overpaint

Croquis à l'encre

Paysage aux fleurs roses

En corps

Composition de fleurs

Composition en vert

Plongeon

La danse des fleurs

Voyage

Fleurs et palmiers

L'oiseau de Paradis

Perspective

Equilibre

Au théâtre

Coulée de rouge

Le Soleil Jaune

En forêt (1)

En forêt

Composition en rouge et vert

Summer dream

Chupa Chups (Pink)

Army Of Me

Tears4 2Pac

Darth Elvis

Dream but don't sleep

Ritratto cubista di donna

Winter in the village

Les Potes

Day after day

Legado de lo Invisible #3. From The Legado Invisible Series

A Walk through the Blossoming City

Harlequin Macaw

Delighted

Untitled

Untitled

Alicates / Pliers

April forest no.4

Cimes et racines / Anémone 1

Sud j'aime tes couleurs

Between the Trees

Cosmic Web

International Youth Year