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

Camille

TH25_002 (1)

Hera

Space Jesus

Don't be afraid

Nefertiti

That's life, That's life #265

Sans titre

New Eva 59fifty wengé

Mon rêve familier

Good feelings

Joséphine Baker

The Sculptor

Brooklyn Dinner at Night

Rouge est la couleur du mystère 20

Girl, lost in her own shadow

Femme medecine

Cherry Blossom

Le pénitent

Héraclès (portrait)

Afrikaans

Chewing-gum

Alek Wek

Peaceful intermission

The fatigue of the conquest

Eye of the storm

Roly-poly-female No. 2

30301

Les empathiques 14

III

Autoportrait

June yellow

Orphan

Self Portrait R

The Dignitary

Broken Mirror

Untitled

Lady from the past

La luna llora y hace un océano de vida

Rouge

Envy

Glimpse

Camp

Loin

Hunted-Hunter#1

Botero

Two Women

Au bout de soi

Tango

Sans titre

Muddy Fox

King and pipe

Louise dans un carton

Denda (Never try to trick me with a kiss)

Mama

Celle de mai

Woman playing cards

Hug in the Water

Erotic mind

Des lueurs ocre et rouge

Mother and child

Sans titre

Ubuntu Is Alive

London, NY, LA, Tokyo and other cities in Asia

Jeune femme endormie

La fille de Chambellan