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

Green Love

Untitled (5). From series: Secret Photography - Cliché Verre and Photograms

Mère et enfant

Raíces y ancestros

Le Cri du Coeur

Brain beats. Yellow

Monarch

Lavandière bretonne

Magritte's Door

Sarah Bernhardt

Asfixia

The Queen's Head, Underbank

Mar II

Woman at work

Bust of a woman

The orange stripe dress

Untitled

A Face in the Crowd, Disney World, FL (24)

Ryan Schneider

02-Untitled

Pompiertruche - Série Portrait Autruche personnifiée

Curious guinea pig - animal

South Beach Kid Cup - Framed

Portrait 2

Botox Forbidden Fruit

Le danseur de kabuki

Dancing Girl

Sans titre

Karl Abstract Series

Isabelle B

The Alphabet, Letter "C"

Romane II

The Geometry of Consciousness 1

Ceux des étoiles

Tinku 1

Germana

Commission for Melissa 50 lance

All different all equal

Jour de marché à Bamako

Sophia Loren

La tête dans le trou

Trump - original art

Into the Beyond

Untitled

Les Amoureux

Satyr Sculpture

Head of Man

Untitled

Quiet Time

Le Fauteuil Bleu

The discourse

Toréador

Barbie

Lara & Ashley

Feminine Figure

Collegiate

Sans Titre

L'éternelle fragilité

Noblewoman (The Red Glove)

Amy Winehouse

Thalia

Impression d'Egypte

Me

Why are we so alone even in company?

Suzette

Quantum Study (Pink Entanglement)