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

Space Jump

Nathan road

High Sunflower

144p

Un giorno qualunque

Untitled

Blooms V - impressionistic floral 3d art

Whispers of spring

Blooms IV

Blooms II (1)

Blooms II

Silence of the moon

Garden of time V

Garden of time I

Roses in Sunlight

Red and yellow roses

Poplars

Tulips and apples

Autumn flowers on the windowsill

White peonies

Lilac and roses

Fantaisie 6 - Série abstraction poétique

Autumn Herbs 2

Autumn Herbs 1

Bouquet of Whimsy

San Titre

Sunflowers in the field

Fleurs 45

Spring Flowers

La belle de Kyoto

Apricots bloom

Flowers on the window

Flower fields

Blooming field

Blooming Abundance

Totem fleurs de Matisse

We're Pretty

So Near, So Far 3.

Mediterranean Daydream

Vivid Elegance

Floral delicacy

May. Apple trees in bloom. Kolomenskoye Estate

La clef de mon atelier

Sans titre

Portrait de Surma N°4

Aurum 12

Aurum 17

Flower

Wondering flowers, cycle We Are

Cubique

Chaos

Screech of ice series 43

To the sky

Composition

En équilibre

Lilac on the Table

Pianta che muore

Time Perspective II

Still life with a flute

Old anew

Cyclamens

Hyacinths

Light

Blooming Lilacs - lilacs painting

Nasturtiums

White peonies