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

Édition Toujours Marilyn 50 RED

Sandrine Bonnaire

Ali Patterson II

Equanimity_2022 20

USA Code Barre Steve McQueen Sport 3

Wagner

Optimism Painting I

Steve McQueen. En couple. Le script

Martin Luther King (The Truth Behind a Portrait)

Blue Blondie

Mick Jagger - Le poing - London - Derniers tirages

La Vierge Marie, Wonder Woman

Cherry Kate

Iconic Beauty #3

Dog Save the Queen

Brigitte Bardot

Marilyn

Queen

Nick Cave

Rock your mind

Magic Warhol

Be Happy

Tina Turner, Paris

Daft punk

Marilyn Monroe

Audrey

Dali

Chaplin and a Friend

Andy Warhol and Keith Haring

Tchaikovsky

Diego Rivera

jerrican Donald Duck

Van Gogh

Audrey

Muhamed Ali, Chicago

Tallulah Bankhead

Social Commentary, NYC

Kurt Cobain

Monamonroe

Jean Michel Basquiat Portrait

Marilyn

Nat King Cole

Johnny Hallyday. Milan 1986

Björk

Edith

Aragon (série "Fossiles du futur")

Barbie

Gun

Could you be loved

B.B. King, Los Angeles, CA

Dolly Parton, Orillia On

Alanis Morissette

B.B King, Fox Theater, Oakland

Marilyn

Jim Morrison - The Doors, 1967

Taureau

Wonder Frida

Marylin M

David Bowie Bunny

Marilyn Monroe

Rolling Stones - Made in the shade

Et puis il y a Frida

Marilyn Monroe in Niagara

Ramsès II

FM

Twiggy in Yellow Limited Edition Giclee Print