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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Anna Piaggi

Marc Jacobs fall 2020

Alessandro Michelle yellow

Orange Shirt

Amal, George Clooney and Julia Roberts

Orince Eagle (After a Photograph by Elizabeth Peyton)

Pierpaolo Piccioli for Moncler

Matador

The Party (Brown)

Portrait

Portrait

Geisha ll

Torn Icon (Letterpress)

Big Brother (Letterpress)

Autumn queen

Lumière Volée 9

Amour Bobigny

Untitled SM 23

Untitled SM 35

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Prada Bag Ladies

Résistant

Gamin à la lance

Oeil clos orange face

Ephémères colorés (N° Inédit)

La Santiaguera

El Revolucionario

Woman with a scarf

El caballero

Magic Game, no. VI/VIII

Un roc

Cosmic Messenger: The rustic Hermes bust 1/1

Portrait

Aquarium at Coney Island, Ny

Son de Santiago

Cheveux d'Encre Peace

Pactole

Mother and child

Might of nature: The Herculean naturalistic bust 1/1

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Confidence

Las curvas

Petite pomme F1

Sans titre

Sagesse

The Missing Link

Portrait de classe 20

Portrait de classe 19

Portrait de classe 18

Portrait de classe 17

Portrait de classe 16

Son Sourire

King

Fireworks

Wanted

Torn Icon Letterpress

A ballerina black swan (1)

The Old and the Young

Time off Pink

Woman by the ocean

Fleur Mourenx

La mère / Lolo Lapinture