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

1958 Le Port The harbour

I Love I 2

Mystérieux et Fascinant

Sans titre (16)

Faces 1 & 2 Box with original screenprint stickers

Visage Brun-Bleu

Almond Terrace

Explosion solaire

Sola 1

Opus 6K

Trio du Sud

"Mountain sunset" - series Denia

Sans titre

Phenomena With Two Black Threads

Tamaris en fleurs

La barque de SA'AM

L'Ame en couleurs

Promenade dans la forêt

Buste

Dog Save the Queen

Molot'Lov Man Street Ed

Femme II

Cherry Kate

La Fable et Le Mouton Loup

L'arrivée à Bandol

Doors of Perception

Etiuda

The strength of spirit

Tower of a white flower

Pilgrimage of Hope

Le Cinq

The Brave Gascon (Based on A. Dumas's The Three Musketeers)

Dust And Light

Manufacture des Gobelins

Mais vers quoi je danse ?

Give me a kiss

Paysages abstraits

MC Caviar Courchevel

Blue dream

Blushing Reflections

Blue Scene

Chapelle dans le couserans (Ariège)

Joy

Casa Vincens

Allégorie de fertilité

Le concert

City Range #47

Abstract VI

Bois brûlé

Spring

Struttura II

Dream Scape Blue

Halong Bay 2

Tête de Lion 3/8

Libra

Léa

Paradis perdu, âme dévorée

Música y cava

Paradis perdu 9 - série portraits de femmes

Seascape

Mannequins (campagne Versace)

Sans-titre

#22

Photo 111103.4

Gently transformation

Origine-21B