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

Beyond Duality, Chroma Concentrics #3 (2)

Untitled

Pourparlers

Title n°345

Orbe N°1

Untitled 17 From the Mexican Ry?an-ji Series

Untitled 16 From the Mexican Ry?an-ji Series

Untitled 15 From the Mexican Ry?an-ji Series

The Distruction

Damned Women

Lesbo

Song of the Afternoon

Mid Point 2

Contour de l’abstraction, danse des caractères - série: Abstraction géométrique et danse des lettres arabes

Altération 6

Temps II

Port Fragmenté

Dans l'espace géométrique

Abstraction 1637

Abstraction 1112

Abstraction 3012

Temps I

Cactus - Astrophytum Ornatum - Série: Histoire de cactus

Semblance of order

Abstract landscape

N°17 – U De Restaurant Et S De Tennis

N°13-E De Restaurant Et E De Tennis

XXI 08 2017

Le cube de Tom

Cadences I

No. 1718

Vol de nuit 2

Impression d'Afrique 2

Impression d'Afrique

Équilibre illusoire 68

Migration I

Artwork 3

Sans titre #3

Petit bleu oxygène - série abstraction géométrique

Sans titre #2

Madame k.

Pulsions orangers

Conviction

Eclosion

Colors Of Africa : Bryanston 1968

Burbuja elemental (Bulle élémentaire) - petit format

Shrouded by Clouds I

Wild Flower IV

Wild Flower III

Wild Flower II

Proc-épique

Abstrait DSC 1805

Hand lines

020-19

018-19

08_19

Composition

Folding in motion 6

Où est Charlie ? IX

Green Cosmos - Orange

Green Cosmos - Orange

Green Cosmos - Orange

Green Cosmos - Orange

Green Cosmos - Orange

Green Cosmos - Violet

Green Cosmos - Orange

Green Cosmos - Red

Green Cosmos - Violet