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

City 8

City 7

City 6

City 5

City 4

Noname D33

Noname C22

No name E90

No name E89

No name E88

No name E91

No name D34

No name D26

Nostalgic Sunflower

Drummer boy

Siblings

Boy playing with marbles

ST1

Guitarista

Complexities of Existence

Geyser

Painting Through Fear

La Forteresse en Gris

Noname D22

Noname D21

Noname D19

Noname D17

El faro

DeathF889

DeathQ519

Eyes of the Wind

Golden Fragments

La petite danse des papillons édition

Freddie Mercury news

Jean Michel Basquiat boxe

Urban Blueprint

Color Symphony

Momentum of Color

Camo

Party Time 1

Dancing in the Rain VI

Dancing in the Rain V

Le cri de Frida Kahlo

Dancing in the Rain IV

Spring Etude

Dancing in the Rain III

Secret Shadow

Le Chaos

Comme un oiseau sur sa branche

Dancing in the Rain II

Dancing in the Rain

With the Church

Umbrella Man

On the Way to the Village

Secret Shadow

Dancing III

Mylene Farmer (1)

Momentum

Visions of Sedona. The Bell Rock faces

Road to the sea

Freude 1 - Joy 1

Leaves 2

French School - Portrait PS 173 La Princesse Nordestina

Joyful patchwork

Untitled 81

ADN 400- I, On Canvas

Células activas #4

Gen #4