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

N° 719 Danseuse au repos.

Rêves

N° 633 L'impudique 1

N° 631 Baïkal découvrant la non-zone

N° 624 Monette

N° 817 Dans le divan rouge.

Pieles 05

Pieles 02

Desvelando Gaudí 018

Desvelando Gaudí 02

Desvelando Gaudí 01

Figure summary 2, 1979

Model, 1975

Portrait of a boy

The boy on the motorcycle

Smiling Boy

Smiling Boy

Sisyphe II

2Sand and Water 13

PrintSet 7

Aus der Serie: Antike Zukunfts-Bunt

Untitled 9

Untitled 8

Untitled 7

Untitled 6

Untitled 5

067

066

065

064

063

061

Au soleil du matin

Self

Casaba's nude

Queen A

Danseuse

Femme allongée

Alma

Black 44

Myrtille 01.06.2011 Paris, France

Elodie 09.2013 Chambery, France

Venus

Madame sur le papier

Les Belles Canapéennes 4

Sur la plage ensoleillée...

Le Lapin

MV. 24-10 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Woman on a Bed

Untitled

Untitled

Sisyphe IV

Sisyphe III

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #12

Aphrodite

If I had a pig, I would name it Nevo 8

Claire en fin de journée

Lamar

Stephanie I

Anneso 02.2015 Lyon, France

Adam and Eve VIII

The Three Graces

Nude

MV. 24-1 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

MV. 24-6 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Seul le chien