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

Les boules

Les sous bois chuchotés

Glicine

Lilies

Spring sun

Picasso loved me 2

Roses

Dream-grass

Spring tulips

Pasqueflower

Trees bloom

Flowers

Autunno (l'albero di luce)

Albero d'autunno

Water lily in a pond

Flowers

Cactus II

Cactus I

Untitled

Une fleur sur la fenetre et des poivrons. Une nature morte zen

Chérubin Enfant au corail 1991 Cherub Child and Coral

Love & Passion

My Peonies

From the Garden

Last weekend

Voznesensky garden. Apple trees in bloom. Kolomenskoe

A Botanical 63

Poppies

De la dentelle

Generation Equality?

Tree.Winter

Petals in Bloom

Légèreté d'Automne

It seems Strange.

Yellow Vase

Composition florale

Passion

Passion

Flowers again

Morning rose garden

Aurum 13

Psychedelic trip

Positivity

Serenity

Daisies, Moments series

Tulip, Moments series

Wedding, Moments series

Composition de printemps (1)

A boat among the reeds

Composition au bleuet

Contrastes

Aquarelle

Etude de mouvement

Composition de coquelicots

Cinq fleurs bleues

Composition de fleurs

Jardin de fleurs

Fleurs

Awakening Landscape

Tourbillon de feuilles

Contemplation

Peinture cubiste

Arbres en bleu

Oasis

Effervescence

Nature sauvage