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

En sommardag

Aquarelle

L'éveil

More Cats For Everyone

Blue Heart

Pink Child

Sies Marjan

Pastis au soleil

Untitled

Lena

Untitled 202

Deux sœurs

Madame k.

Racconto di primavera 8

César

Bigbang

Five young ladies

The girl with the lost pearl earring

Untitled. Unique embroidery artwork from the Durero series

The Masks

Untitled SM 1

The Joyful Goose

Bauhaus Girl no. 3

This is us, Vacation on the Happy Island series

Barnús vermell

Flowers Painting African Tree Pohutukawa

La demoiselle IV

Dada The Fairy Tail

Aperol Spritz 2

Zikik

Something about childhood 4

Leader - Halo

Tropical

Self portrait with between clock and bed

Une aprèm au musée

Elephant

Longue vue

Émergence lumineuse

Free Jump

Chapeau 18

Portrait #2. From the Portraits series

Pond with pink lilies

Daydream

Atlantic Roses

Wagner

We Move as One

Cedar (Small)

Aldgate East

Spring

Sans titre

Sitges

Sole

Waiting

Cornflowers and Phloxes

Senza titolo

Landscape

Portrait 1

Kira (Burnished Gold)

Together

Portrait de jeune fille

Flammarion. Photograph intervened by the artists.

Car Races, Lemans 57

White Parisi Blanc 1969 Six passants 6 passers-by

Trafic

Disco Ball

Okta