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

Landscape sketch 84

Still life with glass

Extrait Peace N°02

Aquarelle

Fashion

Sies Marjan

Untitled 202

Ballet floral

396

Pattern Series #1

La demoiselle IV

Blue Velvet

Pêcheur II

Tropical Landscape

Untitled

Fire Eater

Hortus Speculum Mundi

Rabbit, Trasure-Trove

Duo

Daydream

The Girls

Aldgate East

Sitges

Des vices

Étude pour un paysage idéal

Sans-titre

Time to slow down

Varanasi baby

Le dernier soleil 4

Emotion 20200530

Hommage à Léger

Retrouver les bons souvenirs

Ride

Montagnes et champs

Untitled

Paysage abstrait géométrique

Buste

Pêche en printemps

Casa Vincens

Fleur 9

Être en première ligne - scène de plage et ses parasols - série Paysage de bord de mer

Chapelle dans le couserans (Ariège)

Le photographe

Chromatic dialog #77

Plantes et gouttes d'eau - maison isolée - série Paysage imaginaire figuratif

Funky 1

Brave new world

Ventre de Paris

Chevaux au soleil couchant

Home

Intérieur

Composition

Venezia

Printemps 4

Paysage abstrait I

Trees

Lifeguard Tower Malibu

4 Cassis

Untitled

Olivos

Rencontre dans le jardin

Champs de blé au pied du Salève

El regalo de la persistencia

L'iris double

Port

To Dye or Not To Die. Drawings From the covid diaries series