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

Garden View

Sea and Foam

Unnoticed

Seaside in Bright Sun

Beneath the Fog,

Coastside Morning

Paysage

Reed Roof Barn

Green Surrounding

Afternoon Sky

Lake Reflection

Deep in the Forest

Canyon Farm

Trucks and Trailer

In the front yard

Farm

Magnolia Mill

Houses in the Hill

Lake

Welcome Home

San Luis Valley

Insider

Old Truck #2

Lair O' the Bear

Lost

Outcrop

Beginning of the Day

Woodland Edge

Winter Road

River Side

The Barn

Paysage abstrait II

Almond trees in bloom

paysage enneigé. Paysages Montagnes

Momentary Pause

Hammersmith

Early spring in Kühhude no.2

German forest no.11

Spring with storm

Spring begins

World

Nomadas on the beach III

Volcan

Rectory Fields

Le lit

Meditative place

La pointe du Gaou - Cyanotype T2

Pond with water lilies

Green lake

Untitled

Pond with water lilies

Como Lake Italy

Pins de bord de mer

Winter Birches

New England Lighthouse

Wetland Pyska, Poland

Deserted Desert

Crumbling Ice

Country Living

Open Gate

Branding Iron

Monarch

Beach Car

Porquerolles plage

In a Pig's Eye

French greetings