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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Seascape

Arlequin bleu

Untitled

The Sound of Love

Aquarelles graphiques 3

London

Littoral

Boxing Kangoo

House & gate

Ours marchant

Still Life With Bottles

Littel Girn with QR code

A hug without reason I

My World

Portrait of Benito Mussolini

Absorbing reading

L'Oiseau Bleu

Sans titre

Intimate Talk

Corn at Night

Spaceman Richie

Untitled #10

See my potato sack (Marilyn)

Bolchoi XV

A Rainy Day in Yerevan

Be Fucking Nice - Salmon Pink Monster with Green Sign

Keep Moving

Natural Woman

Chivas Regal

To meet the nightflower

The Alphabet, Letter "C"

Satyr Sculpture

Let me out

Bob l'éponge

Star (Orange)

Birds

Head

Like a pirate

Ships

Clown

Sirène

Owl

Manufactura 3

Woman's Right

Landscape

Luke McAlister

Bazaar

Secret Invasion

Twickenham Streaker

Amazing Spiderman

Four Wall Applique

Composition

Dark Viscid (Buio Viscido)

The Cat

The Cash Machine

Roitelet couronné

Chartres dans les colzas

Little Gulliver

Abstract Composition in red

Portrait of man

Strip Nature

Abstract Composition

Garden of Love

Table Lamp

Vintage "Otero" Table Lamp Model 2748

Love is (not) a fight