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

Apurant

Pasiones

Vibrations 3

Mountain n°6

Untitled

Audrey

Gallopp VA

Empreintes

Bond

Colombe blanche White Dove

Framed Color Face II

The World

Esso Oil Can

L.o.v.e

Oak Bay Study

Ice cream richie

Spring scent

Le port de Brigneau, Bretagne réf: CPBD1033

Walden 7, Serie V - Limited Edition

Botched babe

Umano

Golden Reverie

Dante's Reflection

Castor et Pollux

Frau - Woman

Orange

Sculpture Ethnie - Femme africaine orange rouge caramel avec bébé devant

Hailstorm V

Gato de vuelta

Exoplanet #39 (Portrait of a Pupil) (Abduction)

Untitled

Onelineflopstyle N°9

Tug

o.T. I.; #2180

Ohne Titel

Paradis perdu, âme dévorée

Pinkie

Swimming, glemmingebro, Sweden

4 monkeys

India !

Go-between

Donald Duck and Le Petit Ecolier, Early 20th Century Oil on Board by Pierre Villain

Napoléon

L'ange sur collage

Asters

nations

Dali

Onirik survol

Eagle I

'Pre autumn warmth

Fragile #3

Untitled

Amex Mr Banksy

Untitled

Drawing For Sewing, for a Prayer

Three Screams

Face Time

Serenade 2

Lobster

People Watching

Putzen

Life

Untitled (PEN 04)

Les chemins du silence n°2 - série Paysage et forêt

Joker

Soleil, Mer Et Poissons