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

Little life

When the sun bigins to fall

Deep Breaths

Sous protection

La Rose

Masks

Pattern Series #2

Courtesy at the ice rink

Mother

Metaphysics of the hushed indifference

Vendanges en Champagne

Untitled 180

Dots on Abstract..

Blue Blue & Abstract

Untitled 11

By the Bodhi Tree

Gold of Lanka

Perfect Stranger (The One Time Encounter)

On duty

Sans-titre

Tête du 16 octobre 1987

Tête du 15 octobre 1987

16 fév. 88

30 mai 88

Jardin des caractères

Recollection

Carrie Bradshaw in the kitchen with a hat

Lines N&B

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 2

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 3

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 1

Tallin, seascape, red, blue, water

Tallin, sea

Seascape

Traunsee, Gmunden, Austria

Ladscape, Austria

Road in the field, spring landscape

View of the lake, Austria

L I N E S - Red Note

Untitled 134

Abstract Floral No. 32

Garden of dream

Sunset in Paris

1958 Poissons Fish

Winter lotus

Golden Buddha

At home

Mother and child

Humanity

Temple of the soul

Contact color N°6

Moon N°3

Abstract fresh N°2

Mademoiselle 55

394

Untitled (ID 1297)

1er Octobre 87/2

Conversation

Painter

Figure

Femme chinoise

A dandy in the garden of black roses

Counting The Waves, Painting, Watercolor on Canvas

Lord and Lady Eliot.

Sonia Spider Quenell

Maria Cornejo and Mark Borthwick in Brooklyn