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

Rhythm of Nothingness

Spring

Pop Art Communication x Haring x 24/7 (yellow)

Sans titre

Pomme d'amour

Geotropisme 19

Sans-titre

Calanque de Sugiton

Five 2

Composition

Eye to eye

Artwork 8

21DM0105

Untitled

Waiting here 1010

Cheval vert II

Toy Soldier, Girl

Analog (Abstract painting)

Lumières d'automne

Sans titre - série paysage et végétal

La montée des eaux

La tahitienne

Ainz

Duo

Untitled 197

Sitges

Balloon Rabbit (Violet)

Dans l’alcove

Jour et nuit (ermioni 4h-5h)

Lady bird

Le drapeau révolutionnaire 1989 Revolution flag

La vie en rose

Takashi Murakami × ComplexCon Mr.DOB Figure by Bait × Switch Collectibles (Gold Edition)

Eternal Summer

BW50406

E=M love au carré - 2

Petite Poterie blanche

Via Lunae

Sans titre 5

Autour du fleuve

Crisálida

Composition en noir

The saxophonist from the Star Wars bar

Central Park View II

Zenjiro

La Plage - série bord de mer

Framed

Self Portrait

Calligrammes, by Guillaume Apollinaire and Giorgio De Chirico

F9

Oktober

La Nascita, Milano Centrale, Italie

Temps moderne - série invention bronze

Infinity

Wagner

Sole

Des vices

Bloc 1

Emotion 20200530

Gravure pour 10

Cornflowers and Phloxes

Senza titolo

Wild life 1

Étude pour un paysage idéal

Femme en rouge à lèvres

Sans-titre