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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Arlequin

Regarder le vent chanter

La sueur de la mousse

En haut

The Watermark

Profile with Hearts

Portrait 01

Pola Molitor

Pola Molitor 2 (2)

Painting the sky in his special blue

Circus II

Interrogation EA3/4

Unruly

In the Present

Picasso

Descendant d'Ismaël

Fille au grand manteau

Coastal Daydream

Mer noir

Comédie italienne, coffret de lithographies originales

Mylene Farmer (1)

Portrait #13 and #3, Diptych

Portrait #13 and #2, Diptych

So what ?

Yurei

Josefa

Confidences et reflets

Là-haut, au delà des étoiles

Mother with child / Ubermensch IV/

Roboïde Kill Bill

Roboïde Squid Game

Roboïde América

Portrait 03

Portrait 04

Portrait 06

Woman with crossed arms

Close-up 7 (Jiali`s lips)

Earnest No. 2

Reconstruction 24.03

Reconstruction 24.02

Reconstruction 24.01

Waiting for the Wind

Délicatesse

Sans titre 24

Bound By Time 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa People

Bound By Time 2

Interrogation EA2/4

Where Sky Meets Sea

South Sea

L'âme de la place

Simone Veil

Pola Molitor 2

Roger Federer

Swing 3

Empowered unity

Série : Portrait de couleur - tableau No 2

Un air de Barbara

Fille à la veste bleue

Lea

St. Pete

George

With Nature

Game Plan

Anything Is Possible

Secret Sorrows

Autoportrait, le poilu, 84-88