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

Cafe Terrace In Nice

Haiti Holiday

View From Il Pellicano

For Me

Urge

Lune sombre (PM14)

Au bon air

Lanzarote

Ciel vue d'avion

Breathe Slowly/8

Voyages en Arcadie N°157

Voyages en Arcadie N°150

Voyages en Arcadie N°132

Voyages en Arcadie N°130

Voyages en Arcadie N°128

Voyages en Arcadie N°124

Selo - N

Champs et arbres verts

Skaal House In Stowe

CAMPAGNE AUTOMNE

Tangled Roots

Path in the birch forest

May

Les montagnes étaient là avant

Summer

The road over the river

Cotton Girl

The sunny february day - winter landscape painting

The first flash of green - spring landscape painting

Ranching dream

Asie on est bien ici

Light Of The Fading Day

Peonies

Miroir du Temps

Forger ses racines

Morning Silence

Celestial symphony

Paysage avec des pêcheurs, Normandie

Montagna liquida

Tranquility n°2

Tira't a la piscina

Hamlet

Le petit Chaperaun rouge

Sunset Sail

Petit chemin en Bourgogne

Au mont Boisy en automne

Pietra e ferro, la pierre et le fer

It might rain

Blue mountains

Sunny day in the mountains

Summer on the river

October

Lake Como

Croquis à l'encre

Paysage aux fleurs roses

Composition en vert

Flag

May 2022

Fleurs et palmiers

Solar

Breathe Slowly/13

Breathe Slowly/10

Breathe Slowly/7

Breathe Slowly/6

Breathe Slowly/5

La route -1