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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Subcategories

Small

Not So Far From Here 8.

Not So Far From Here 7.

Arranged Place 1.

Not so far from here 6

Not so far from here 5.

Not so far from here 3.

Not so far from here 1

Summa #3

Unexplored 7

Unexplored 8.

Space Solution X

Follow The Story III

Modulation XII.

Light Space 3.

Bleutée

Paysage

Synthèse

Sin título

Passions divisées

Creatio Continua Ice

Sin título

Spring

Au-delà 22

au-delà 20

Lady on the sofa 2

Levitation II

Totem Nébuleuses N°1

Finite field

Off on a Tangent

Untitled

Ambient Space

Untitled, 2014 (Id. 388)

Untitled (Id.383)

Untitled, 2014 (Id. 382)

Untitled (Id. 386)

Untitled 2305

En boucle

Sans titre 1

Sans titre 3

Sans titre 4

Freedom

Géométrie

Mille détours pour se le dire

Communiquer par les sens

Line 0623-02

Glace 1

Partie de billes — vue du haut

Sitting Bird

The Time Is Sometimes Now 6.

Cosmos 4

Tidal moon 2

Place Within Reach 2.

Hidden Story 19.

Illusive Stability 22.

Arranged Place 31.

Spacewalk XX.

Endless flow 14.

Endless flow 10.

Arranged Place 30.

The Place Between 10

Arranged place 23.

Arranged Place 21.

Arranged Place 16.

Arranged place 12.

Arranged place 10.

Message for you 7.

Record IV

Lost&Found XXVIII.