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

Effusive Silence 4

Mmmh

Red valley (Heat wave)

Regret

La Confession

Les Petites Femmes de Pigalle

La Natue de Mars

Icone

La Passe

L'Amérique

Les Orphelins

Philosophe

Romance de la Nature

Livre

True African Beauty Yellow Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

En selle - Horseracing - Longchamp

Magic geranium - still life framed

Josefa

Continuum III

Snail Nymphs

Under the Wing

Wind

Across the Sky

Venice

Uni-Cone Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Butterfly

Argonaut Study

Coastal Daydream

Jardin d'orient

Jardin aux deux arbres

In Love

Liham - Composition graphique et symbolique semi-abstrait

SAMO Not Dead

Tango Busking

Dibujos de estudio 3

Champ de coquelicots

Provence

Venise

Untitled

Small Gypsy Girl 23

In the Wood

Fish & chips

Small Gypsy Girl 21

City Sketches 1

Arbres étranges - série 14

Quiet Lake

Trois personnages en quête de couleurs

Animal Painting #019-1760

Love Love Love

Abstraction 2

hana27_6919-222

hana31_6947

hana45_5474

Serenade 3

Hana08_F050

Hana05_F009

Hana06_F011

Hana01_99

Hana09_F62

Hana11_F72

Hana12_F4794

Hana04_5062

Hana10_F69

Hana02_2458

Hana20_F5042

Hana14_F5000

Hana16_F5010

hana19_F5035