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

Self-Portrait 24.143

Ascension solaire 2

Ascension solaire 1

Circus

Dekker

Doloris

Intervention

Méditation bleue

Autoportrait dans la falaise

Tempo 1

Geometric avocado

L'Ultima Luna

Orbite silenziose

Sputnik

Perfect coincidence 7

UP23_71

UP23_63

UP23_65

Prussian Blue Movement #5. Framed. From The Prussian Blue Series

Prussian Blue Movement #4. From The Prussian Blue Series

Prussian Blue Movement #3. Framed. From The Prussian Blue Series

Prussian Blue Movement #2. From The Prussian Blue Series

Prussian Blue Movement #1. From The Prussian Blue Series

Print new squares - Grey

Aurum 20

Aurum 19

Neblina

El faro

Screens

Golden Fragments

Le Chaos

Comme un oiseau sur sa branche

Au-delà 19

Momentum

Baignoire Bleue

Print new squares - Black

2003 Untitled 5

Untitled 2

2003 Untitled 1

Untitled 2

Harmony

Drab days and Coloured Minds #3

Platform-4

Mosaïque

Virgule

O2A-B, 2018 (Abstract painting)

O5A-B, 2018 (Abstract painting)

Boule 9

Boule 8

Boule 7

Boule 6

Boule 5

Boule 4

Boule 3

Boule 2

Boule 1

Fig. 8 BASE NEUTRO. From The Dibujar el Tiempo Series

Fig. 8 BASE VERDE. From The Dibujar el Tiempo Series

Fig. 8 BASE NARANJA. From The Dibujar el Tiempo Series

Fig. 8 BASE MORADO. From The Dibujar el Tiempo Series

Self-Portrait 24.146

Ellipses Roses

Love dream

Geometric 01

Perforation VI

Backstage I

Partly cloudy 39°

Mostly cloudy 27°