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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MOON SHIN Portait dans sculpture blanche

Moon Shin totem Lia, Musée des Sables

Grossert 3 - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Untitled XXIV. From the Series Chiromorphose

Untitled XXIII. From the Series Chiromorphose

Untitled XIV. From the series Chiromorphose

Untitled XI. From the series Chiromorphose

Eye in the dark

Autoportrait 1972 Hunger Pegof à la cigarette

197WIENER AKTIONISMUS Fish Eye HUNGER PEGOF Autoportrait

Fish Eye Autoportrait

Naissance Soleillonautes 1969, Musée des Sables

Naissance Soleillonautes montage, Musée des Sables

Naissance Soleillonaute Tête, Musée des Sables

Naissance d'un Soleillonaute, Musée des Sables

Soleillonautes et feuilles dans le vent, Musée des Sables

Soleillonautes, feuilles dans le vent, Musée des Sables, noir au blanc

Soleillonautes, New Stonehenge

Totem Portrait De Moon Shin et Lia, Musée des Sables Barcares

Moon Shin Totem Noir au blanc, Barcarès construction

Naissance Soleillonautes Sculpteurs bois d’Oboma monumental Musée des Sables

Fumio Otani

Sculpture, Musée des Sables Barcarès

Sculpture monumentale bois, Musée des Sables Barcarès

Philippe SCRIVE Musée des Sables Barcarès

Sculpture monumentale granit

Gina Pane Pénétrable Bleue

Gina Pane Pénétrable Bleue

Sculpture mosaïque monumentale

Musée des Sables Barcarès 1970Sculpture

Dieu Soleil d'Alicia MOÏ

Musée des Sables Barcarès Szendy

Sculpture pierre monumentale

Sculpture monumentale

Jacquot

Tuan

Les Polymorphes des Simonnet

Klasen

Musée des Sables

Musée des Sables

Sculpteurs Solidaires 5 - Musée des Sables Barcarès

Sculpteurs Solidaires 4

Sculpteurs solidaires 3

Sculpteurs solidaires

Sculpteurs solidaires 1, Musée des Sables

Albert FERAUD - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Comby

Victor ROMAN by John CRAVEN 1970, Musée des Sables Barcarés

Delphino - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Coulentianos

Grossert Michael 4 - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Grossert Michael 2 - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Grossert Michael

Grossert Michael - 1970 Musée des Sables Barcarés

Vera Szekely sculpture - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Gina Pane monumental sculpture - Musée des Sables Barcarès

Gina Pane - Musée des Sables 1970 Barcarés

Camargo 2 Craven - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Camargo - Musée des Sables Barcarès

Oeil de craven eye - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Bruma Portfolio, Limited Edition, Silver Gelatin Prints

Friday morning, six o'clock III

Friday morning, six o'clock II

Friday morning, six o'clock I

Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins – Windmill Street Soho London

La danseuse