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

Clues

Funday

Yellow day

Summons

Changes

Blue space

Deep soul

Miss coquille graffiti

Miss coquille tag

Miss Coquille Hip Hop

Miss Coquille Boom

And there is silence inside me

Lattice 8

Slippery

Avec une légère brise

Mystic Gatherings

Abstract landscape

La cerisiers en fleur

Petals from my roots

House of Solitude

Orchids

Waterfall in the Mysterious Mountain

Snail / l'escargot

Sixty (Motocyclist)

Just rainy-XCI

Just rainy-XC

Nuages gris

Abstract landscape-XII

Jazzy mood-LXXVII

Jazzy mood-LXXVI

Just rainy XXI

Warhol boxe

Londres

Hammersmith

Jane Birkin knack

Platform-7

Jane Birkin

M chedid

I'm sorry Munch

Paris se change

Remembering good time - Bons souvenirs

Plan de métro Schtroumpf

Green-Jelly

Homage to Roy Lichtenstein - that girl is mine

Elle

Mask 2

Face 4 - Portrait 4

Pins de bord de mer

Homage to Vermeer - Girl with Pearl Earring

Thinking muse - Portrait

Lovers - The portrait of love 3

Homage to Banksy 2

Back To The Block (Snoop Dogg)

Envol

French greetings

Oh la la

Porthcurno Beach

Petit ours tagué patineur

Le danseurs 4

Homage to PopArt 84

Ambiance de plage

Bougainvillea Steps

Whimsical Chick

Nocturnal Harbour

Homage to Brigitte Bardot

Quinces