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

Lonzo Ball Pelicans

Berger des Alpes et sa pipe

Mère et enfant

Rêveries - Portrait scène poétique semi figurative

Ida I, Turquesa Abierto

Jeune femme au châle et panier de fleures

XI

Water Garden

La mère et l'enfant

Portrait de femme au foulard vert

Last Supper

Muslim

Hoop Dreams

Sans

Et puis il y a Frida

La gargouille

Fond de coquelicots - Champs de fleurs

A l'orée du village

Majorca coast

Into the Waves, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Liberté, Mon Amour

Au bord de l’eau III

Vintage Port

Portrait of Lady

Chemin au bord de l'eau

Untitled

Birch Forest IV small

Cerises sur étagère

Les blés de Puplinge, Genève

Village de pêcheurs et réparation des bateaux - côte amalfitaine

Natale in Sicilia

Lipari

Untitled II

Don Quixote

Personnages B't X n°1

Basilique Santa Maria della Salute, Grand Canal, Venise

Chalets et patûrage

Lungo il Ticino

Paysage des Alpes Suisse

Femme au champ préparant un cheval de trait

Pions - d'échec - Surréalisme et imaginaire

Couple d'oiseaux sur une branche fruitée

Jardin du Café Fagolle, Acacias, Genève

Bout du lac

Paysage de Palmsprings

Etude de bateau

Bénédiction

Barcelona

Militaires en discussion

Paysans au champ

Sans titre

Montagne

La Tuilerie

Le Crocrodrome détruit

Paysage Seoul Landscape 1984

Study

Frank

Rabbit Wisdom

Wall panno Seashell

Untitled

Portrait de Sophie

Chomp

Portrait de femme amérindienne

In her eyes, a lifetime

La Mère Fénollan (la Mère marchande)

Red Thread#3