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

Landscape

Alentour de la montagne 4

Chaos

Flowers W

Still life watercolor

Blue cornflowers and orange trees

Light in the wood

To the sky

May came

Peonies on the windowsill

Lilac

Chrysanthemums on the window

May

Morning still life

April yard

Being is love / 460

Red peony

Long Marathon

Black aeon White

Sunset Above The Fireweed Field - original summer landscape painting

WaBasAtt

Baroque Leaves (Colour)

Xiao hua 5

Xiao hua III

Xiao hua I

Gaugalin 2

Sunflowers are blooming

Sunflowers in the field

Home garden

Spring Bouquet

Apricots bloom

Flowers on the window

Flower fields

Blooming field

Petits nympheas

Magnolias Magenta

S 216 La Fleur

S 214 Le Pistil

S211 Le derviche tourneur 2

Queen of Flowers - Format S

Couple Parmi des Roses

Heart vessels

Romantic plants 2

Spring Vibes 3

Spring Vibes 2

Balade parmi les tulipes

Explosion florale

Soft spring

Water Lilies (Identity Revelations series)

Untitled

Little crows

Dansez les pins parasols

Blossoming tree

Juin

Green House

Our time in Eden

La misurazione dello spazio

Cactus in the sun

(Uni)vers

Harmony

Sans titre (1)

Série Piscine 1

Mikonos

Patio de Vielha

Les coquelicots 2

Les coquelicots 3