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

Lieu-Dit

Nu (série, croquis)

Botanique Isatis Tinctoria #1

Proliferation

Concita

Zoé

Thrall

Terminator

Grammophon

STRO

Brush

Homère

Ulysse

Sans titre

Blues and Reds 12

Blues and Reds 8

Blues and Reds 7 - Minimalist Abstract (Abstrait Minimaliste)

Blues and Reds 5

Monroe F..K

Labyrinthe

Swallow No. 42

Magnolia No. 37

S_ck Me I'm Popular Blondiex Mickey Top Trader.

Abstraction

PL 3

PL 8

The Red Ballerina

Justice league

Kate Moss Tattoo Red

Cinquecento

Evanescence

Vierge Au Manteau Bleu

Sans Titre

Candy Mao

Homeless Black

Queen Red

Marilyn LV Pink

Marilyn Drip Melt Red

Marilyn Offset Blue

Marilyn Yellow

Marilyn

9 Monroe Red

Paysage imaginaire #2

Marilyn Offset Green

Esku XVI.

Portrait 16

Still life II

Finite field

Open Space

Untitled 110/7

Off on a Tangent

Untitled 110/5

Cut Space

Untitled

Untitled 110/3

Edge Space

Untitled (ID 1291)

Ambient Space

Tondo II

Tondo I

Untitled (ID 1290)

Vertex

Untitled (ID 1286)

Partially Ordered Set

Télémaque

Mains IV