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

Pasion flower

Iris No. 132

Branch Study No. 16

Plant Study No. 102

Swallow No. 42

Magnolia No. 37

PL 3

PL 8

Abstract Floral No. 11

Floral No. 43

Floral No. 44

Floral No. 45

Roses

Garden Flowers III

Flower

Dream of Blossoms II

Fairytale flower, Gardens of Resilience series

Saturday Stroll

Fleurs

New garden

Lily No. 10

Bora Bora easy love

Jungle

?herry orchard

The magic of the evening

Summer Noon

Copper Vessels

Blossoming

Spring

Esku XVI.

Rénouveau

In the garden. Croatia

Rose

Tondo II

Tondo I

Untitled (ID 1279)

Mille chats

Black Graff

Pierre dorée

Tulips

Sulap II

Sulap I

Autumn flowers with melon

Fleur III

B240

Late afternoon

Fleur 102

Red kala flowers

In a summer flower meadow

Sunflowers in the garden

Au jardin

Cherry blossom green

Peony, Pink Flower

Pink peony

N° 1241 Mer de Galilée. Do-Beïtenou.

From the Series Iris flowers, Ritter-Schwertlilie

Iris flowers, Ritter-Schwertlilie

Des sourires pour les fleurs

Iris flowers, Ritter-Schwertlilie

Fly Agaric Fungus and snail

White peony, Flower on a deep blue background

Sunflower on a white background

Peony, Pink flower on a white background

Colored Flowers

Blue Flowers

Soul Companions