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

Ballade dans les Brumes (paysage aquatique, ciel, nuages, lac)

Convergences

Balance

En sommardag

Pink arch

Feel the glow

Tulip Fields Netherlands #05

Cascade et tumulte, les Gorges du Loup

Détente bord de mer

Intermezzo 3.

Ballet floral

In the park of Barcelona

Funny landscape

Composition 15

Paradise van

France raffinerie

Provence numéro 7

Le sentier côtier

Toi et moi

4Seasons Autumn

Hanami 3

Flowers Painting African Tree Pohutukawa

Nebulous

Pêcheur II

Tropical Landscape

Love in the Time of Forest Fires

Frozen in Time

The Giant

Hush of Winter

Pond with pink lilies

Déjà vu

Sans titre

Vast IV

Romantic plants 1

Sans titre - série paysage et végétal

Closer to the Sun

Promenade dans la forêt

Central Park View II

Autour du fleuve

Matinée à Rome I

Untitled

Whisper of the Moonlit Forest

Port de Rouen

Le Port de Villefranche sur mer

Sans-titre

A Moment Of Rest

Landscape

Stroll in the Jungle

Chocolate Factory & Crazy Sunset

Lefkara Village

Only the Strong Survive

Sunset Over The Meadow

Pastoral

Neorupestres

La barque de SA'AM

After the Rain I

L'arrivée à Bandol

Almond Terrace

Sans titre 6

Pêche en printemps

Memoirs of loss VI

Graphite

Fleur 9

Origine-21B

Seascape

Forest Path Stemweder Hills