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

Revendication muette

Lumière Divine 1986 Divine Light

Histoire naturelle

Untitled III

Fayum

Forest Path Stemweder Hills

Hotel Plaza

Die Enormous - Jay-Z

Bam Bam

Untitled

Cambodge, Prey Nup, Bantei Prey, jeune fille

J'arrive

Aigua IV

Lego Builder

The Electromagnetic Wave

Coke! Sculpture

Wanderland

Translucent

Rallumer la forêt

Mickey spread Art - What Party

Chanoir x Reese

Nefer volcano

Vase Terra 3

The Garden of Dreams

Still Life Flowers

Fleeting time III

Beach

Between

Les voiles rouges

Two Seeds

Fleur 9

I wish you

Blue dream

Sans titre 2

Eclosion

Animal Painting #018-1632

Water

Bronze Masque

Untitled 1

Plume

Darkness 1

Castaway

S/título 6

Ma belle et moi

The tree of life | Forest landscape natural art

He Used To Be A Big Shot

Sewing Nets

L'uppercut de l'amour

Fulles de tardor

Combat 1987 Fight

Dolly dans les nuages

Untitled (Reflection)

Sunlight

Douceur d'Enfance

Orville

Nébuleuse 1

Desire

The Minority

Draw the table Ukiyo Folds

Essential Workers

RESTEZ CHEZ VOUS

Untitled 6

Political Demagogy III

Le chêne à trois troncs n°22

Untitled Cosmic

Èter I