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

El-f

Untitled

Shiny Diamond

Perforation II

Invisible Narratives 8.

Léviathan

Hailstorm V

Untitled 13. From Mexican Ryoan-ji Series

Sans titre XXIV

Cubos Transparencia 2 (Framed)

The Self 16

Le merle

#Paysage sauvage #2

7749

Golden X

Encoded Power

Untitled (red-white)

UP23_63

Gelb-Rot-Blau-Braun

A walk in the wood

1987 Cubintra Variation XVI

No Title

Red Seams on Blue

Armille - Sculpture pâte de verre composée de 5 éléments mobiles

Coils 3B

Homage to Thelonious Monk

Cercle - rose

Grasping A Concept, Mixed Media on Wood Panel

Generaciones

XXXVI 12

Women Walking

Abstraction

Net

The guitar player

CBS-16

Divergent paths #7

Sha La La

M.160302

Balance

Jabón Azul. From The Composition with Tools series

Obsolète

Magic

Le Cube

Plongée dans le bleu

City HS

Coincer la bulle

Lichen & Garlic

Untitled

Title n°344

The Death of Lovers

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

Sérigraphie bleu sur fond bleu

Wild Flower I

Absorbing reading

Il Sagittario (Sagittarius)

Série: photographie concrète numérique - IMG_1166 03.11.2013

Quantum Study (Whisper)

Géométrique

Green Cosmos

Platform-6

Maison Carrée

Untitled

Interstellar

Le tableau parfait

Composition II

Heidi's thoughts

Meditating in the mountain

Flash Art Racconto