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

Grande messagère

La rêveuse

Bronze age hummer

Inside Out 2

After the Dance

Cha'pollon

L’événement VI

L’événement III

Le chêne à trois troncs n°20

Sneaker Bleu

Wrapping Bonbon Irisé Radiant

Blooming Frida

The Crosswalk II

On a Break During a Wedding Photo Session

From the Series Passion

Kitsune Japanese fox

Aqua Serenity

Untitled

Just married, Vacation on the Happy Island serie

Mother Mary Sculpture

Black Dog Sculpture

Golden Note Design Sculpture White

Shell Design Sculpture

The Panther, Vacation on the Happy Island serie

A date, Vacation on the Happy Island serie

The Queen, Vacation on the Happy Island series

Flowers 2

Grande Douceur

Insouciance

Mon ange

Sunny Wind

En Compagnie

Femme au Chapeau XII

Portraits

Police and Woman

Maggio Fiorentino

Goodbye Maremma

The Old and Soldier

Erotic Scene

Gardener

N° 1122 Le père

La fête Communale

Tête de Satyre

Enfant terrible

Love

Untitled 4

Untitled 3

Lady with dinosaur

Petrified, Melancholy serie

Elixir, neon painting

Journey Home: Preserving Serenity

Vue sur les toits. Vue 15

Eros bust

Demosthenes bust

Dionysus bust

Hermes Bust

Elegant Dominant #2

Vue sur les toits (Vue 6)

Ganador

Shinjuku

Barnús groc

Mirades II

Mirades III

Baleak 002 - 1/8

19-Circus

Happy Hours II