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

Liberty

Femme orange

The Alignment.

The lolo project

Le Monde de Teddy Bear

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Coyolxauhqui en el cielo

Féminité

Mysterious girl

Eloise

Métamorphose lumineuse

Autoportrait and my hairstylist Katia - Size XS

Sans titre

Sans titre

Tamarynd #5

I'm never going to look back

Saharian Sensuality

Rachil

Grondement de corps

Merci mes blessures

From Series "Human trafficking"

Cornice

March to June. Drawings From the covid diaries series

Partisan

Femme assise

Nude No. 67

Curly

Nude No. 53

Sans-titre

Smoking Away - Size S

Midnight lady B

Six femmes nues

L'attente 30 (1)

L'attente 30

Apple on Sill with Diagonal Shadow

Unroll

Lithographie (1)

I am everything, Everything is me

Homme ailé - Portrait fantastique pâte de verre

Amalfi morning allure

Morning in Positano

Divan bleu

Mote

Egoportrait no.2

Girl laying down

Donna Cannone

Sans titre

Femme à lunette

Marilyn red classic full roses Glitters

Naïade série silhouette humaine

Sara 2

Heart of the Horizon (Green version)

Love is Love

Cleopatra / Liz Taylor

Marilyn Red Classic Charcoal Roses

Marilyn Black silver wink roses

Breathe No. 4

Spa & Wellness – I

Summer

Sketch - VI

Sketch - II

Odysseus

Femme et enfant posant

Les deux amies