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

Karmaliuk’s Tower

Habiter demain, Rose #002

Gravity

The Labyrinth

Rinofrog

La boîte de sardines

Blue Portraite

Wetland Pyska, Poland

It's an adventure

Flowering branches in a white mug

Reflection

Breakfast

Explosifs

Salon IlI

In service to joy

Prince

Indienne noir

Nevia

Mayflowers I

Mayflowers II

Lost

Sweethearts

Bullfinch on a rowan branch

Cracks

At the training room

Night Bouquet

le cerf-volant

Woman with Flowers III

Libre d'aimer, tu chériras la mer III - Paysage marin de La Nouvelle Calédonie

Shoebox

It may be healthy

Le funanbule

Behind the Scenes VI

Small Puffy Candy Argent

Teckel Tel Quel

N° 877 Chessine 3. Le buste.

Composizione 10

Composizione 9

Lucia at eleven

Le colombien

Basket with tangerines

Hyacinths

Light

Nasturtiums

Early spring. Opalikha

White peonies

Sakura

Chinese vase

Still life with pomegranates

Falling For You

Bold Gaze 2

Bold Gaze 1

A Boy With A Golden Fish

Air Legend Night EA

House in the forest

St. Anna Chapel, Tirol, Austria

The book is an open window

Sunset boat

Dark cow by the road

Lavanderas

Choco

Boyaca

Cartagena

Colombia

Guajira

Nariño