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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Hidden Story 13

Illusive Stability 12

Hidden Story 7.

Place Narrative 12.

L I N E S - Red Note

Spatial Echoes 6.

Performance 4.

Performance 3.

Lost&Found XXXIII.

Départition

Unexplored 6.

Space Solution XIV.

Dernier domicile connu

Untitled 217

Tentative

Vanishing Horizon II

Storm Approaching XI

Storm Approaching XIII

Storm Approaching X

Northern Lights II

Storm Approaching XII

Par dessus des fleurs

Estroflessione

Estroflessione

Budini

Random Position 5

Waking Up

Eclipsing the Darkness

Droites roses

394

Portrait

Sans titre

Sliding Chair (views & vantage points)

A New Slate

Intenciones del Silencio XIV

Intenciones del Silencio XII

Intenciones del Silencio VII

Intenciones del Silencio VI

Intenciones del silencio V

Intenciones del silencio IV

Intenciones del silencio III

Parure

Plan

Gottlieb

Deconstructing Piet I

Murailles

Jardin Sphérique

Drab Days and Coloured Minds

Arranged Place 28.

Arranged place 9.

Lost&Found XIII.

Lost&Found VI.

Form Action I.

Form Action II.

Lost&Found III.

Lost&Found XVII.

Illusive Stability 3.

Dentro il cielo II

Position XXII.

Période 11, 8ème jour

Pink Dous

Le blanc mis en scène

Mosaïque

Rythme cosmique - Cosmic rhythm

Eclipse éthérée - Ethereal eclipse

Sans titre 9

Sans titre 10

Womans world?