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

Superman vs. Batman

Something to lick mini #027

Medcom

Untitled

Plaque métro Simpson

Fugueur

Coup d'oeil

Passe-Passe

Maria Magdalene

La pièce manquante

La pièce manquante

Resurrectionem ex-mortuis Noise remix

Love 3D

Flacon Chanel n°5, l'amour éternel

Bouteille Chanel n°5, l'amour fou

Vador 01.01.25

Sparkling Steve

Cerbero

Ange

Candy

Saving Audrey

Paris Subway Map III

Piaf Révolution L

Palette 1 (Astroboy)

Super Mario

No smoking

Elmer fusil

Satoko

Motoka

Wild Kong tagged

Untitled

Prades

NØISE/SSI Resurrectionem

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Vanitas

Impulse N°10

Impulse N°16

Push

Tagadasbtract signed

DMV

Plan de métro Marsupilami

Interdit de fumer

Aequorea Victoria

Tropiques, jardin chinois

Bonheur

Voyou Gold

Hanoi 1-01

Funny

Happy Tribu

Iron Man Soup

Moon Base Alpha

Blue Afro

Never stop Never settle

Dots on Abstract..

Blue Blue & Abstract

Love Colors

Moya et Dolly

Exactly

Everything

Wild Kong baril tag mate

Wild Kong tag brillant

Serigraphie I

Floats

Karpe Di