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

David Pez green - Bronze

Fly Over Wide Fields

Touching The Surface (Complete Series)

Charity

Ménine air et métal avec patine rose pâle

Blue basilikum

Applaudissements infinis vert

First Light IV

Pablo

Catching your eyes

A small reminder of home

Lego

Morning of the sea

Fichi d´India

Le petit voilier bleu marine... (esprit voile 2016)

What's going on?

Terres d'argile

Édition Caractère Clint 30

Cleaning The Ship

Wrapped around you

Ferragosto

Abstract Composition

The Fragile Balance

Kitchen still life

Broken darkness

A hidden kernel

Tracks

Les bosquets

Édition D.B Immortel 30

Collezione N°5

Édition Toujours Marilyn 30

Édition Éternelle Audrey 30

Édition Un tramway nommé Désir 30

Édition Rebelle 30

Voltage

Principio de Incertidumbre de Heisenberg

Still life

Strawberry Meadow

Bats Fancier

31st of June

L i n e s - Blue note N°2

Sans titre

Battements... (Origami 2023)

Mer et sable

Entre les pins

Live your fucking best life

The Stronger of the Two

What is left to say

Now and always

Rainy impressions-XXIII

Rainy impressions-XXII

Imagination play-I

Autumn-XIII

Enlacés

Crépuscule sur l'océan

She always remembers him

Le torrent

Moi aussi

Every day is a gift

Scales of injustice by Shepard Fairey x Cleon Peterson

Art Dollar 31

Jeux de mâts... (Esprit voile)

Le temps qui passe... (Esprit voile)

When ?

Mickey is a Lakers fan

Centaure origine (LC74)