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

Magic Basquiat

Magic Yayoi

Magic Warhol

Popeye Green – Golden Banana – Medium

Vegas pop art grey Mc Queen

Pow! Shoot the bank covent garden

Mona

Simply spring 7

Simply Spring 5

Simply Spring 3

Petit panda Pink

Pand'ours pop art Moncler

Colorant alimentaire

$(1) FS II.275

Bavardage

The New Gold

Outre noir pour Soulages

Homage to Piet Mondriaan III

Running out

Gye Nyame I

La demoiselle de Rochefort

Snail Nymphs

Red

Cover n°6

Giula

M. Chat & Playboy Enterprises Stock Certificate

Mona Tattoo Yellow

Petit Ours Lanceur Tagué

Rupture de Plan

Money LV

In Love

Exit

Smoke

All Cats Are Beautiful

One Dollar Red Underground

SAMO Not Dead

One Dollar Gold White

Mickey Old Dutch

Apple Vermeer Black

Appel golden age zwart

War Baby

Ice Cream Richie

Vegas pop art Gulf Mc Queen

Vibrant Mickey Art

Super Mickey Hero

Quiet Lake

Vibrant Vortex

Love Love Love

Magic Basquiat

Pomme d'amour

n3 Beretta in crayons

Sightseeing No.7

Sightseeing No.8

Mmmh Racing

Mmmmh Dollar

Puffy candy

Summertime… and the livin’ is easy

Rick Sanchez x In-N-Out: Cosmic Chef Edition

Popeye x In-N-Out: Burger Sailor Edition

Chef Minion: In-N-Out Burger

Ares, God of War Sculpture

Techno David: The Cyborg Sculpture

Double Head David

Golden Hermes Statue

One Dollar Tree Bark

Jesus Is Lord Blue Litho