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

Into the Light

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Framing

Guy with a paste earring

Jonas

NUDE Lovers 4

A window

Lauren

Sans titre

La plus précieuse des lèpres

Nu de dos

Reach out + Shake it (s)

Torse masculin

Akt

Siesta

Looking for the past

Memory Trap

Nude Series 4

Untitled 13

Vandal

Lotus 1/8

Barbara

Golden Liberation

Onírico

Danseuse - Elancée II

Mathilde

La baigneuse

Bath

L'arpenteur

Complicidad

MV. 24-7 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Rêvons la ville nocturne - Let’s live city night life

The man in the Well

Archer

Je ne vois pas la femme cachée dans la foret

La Femme au centre du monde

Le couple

Aunque usted no lo crea

Jazz

Temptation pop

Untitled 25

Immersió 051

Pour le petit mâle

A vendre

Bloody Female Figure

Untitled

Candies

Agapi

Upside down

Meditation

Love

Untitled

Untitled

Numbness

MV. 24-3 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Untitled

Internal Nude

Erotic Scene

Potser sí

Faded Away 11, Rome

Nude of Woman

Slumber

Elena Mar odalisca en mi patio

Hannah

È vero: chi vive di pura immaginazione, prima o poi impazzisce

Kate Moss défilé Vivienne Westwood