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

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Bloom. Etude

Sightseeing No.9

Camping Paradis

Voyages en Arcadie N°147

Voyages en Arcadie N°126

Voyages en Arcadie N°122

Existence11

Abstrait nu N°4 - Ocre

Subjective landscape.

Subjective landscape.

When We Ride

Le pont du sable

Flowers

Canard

Paysage 233

Qu'il fut long le chemin, série : Ces gens venus d'ailleurs - Abstraction colorée

Winter Dreams/6

L'ultime danse

On the bank of the Black Tisza

Automne après la pluie

Landscape III

Paysage chinois 113

Paysage chinois 114

L'arbre en fleurs

Paysages 802

Sunlight in the wood

Rendez vous, série : Ces gens venus d'ailleurs - Abstraction colorée

Paysage chinois (1)

Paysage chinois

Purple flowers 5425

Attache toi

Sunset in harbor with yachts

Paysages 801

City Park Evening

A Moment of Rest

Corniche des Iles

Blue pines - Loving trees N°3

Paysages de Chine 20

Promenade

Le torrent

L'île sainte

Vol des oiseaux noirs

Night landscape 2

Retrouvailles

Paysage vert

La glisse

Abstract Seascape in Aqua and Beige

Melancholy and delight of the extraordinary blooming evening

Samothrace

Automne I

Almost Abstract Landscape - 1 (Ocean)

Almost Abstract Landscape - 3 (Mountain)

Almost Abstract Landscape – 4 (Early Morning)

Shadows are blue today - Agave americana

Calme au crépuscule

Le cailloux dans la chaussure

Paysages 211

Porto Pollo_15

Fleur de Lotus

Porto Pollo_14

Summer Breeze

L I N E S - Grey Coast

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°1

Surfspot

Just rainy-L