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

Banksy-Picasso Metro Map of Paris

Boîte aux lettres Bugs Bunny

Bart (plan du métro de Paris)

Snoopy (plan du réseau bus de Paris)

Meltdown Metallic Sign

Storm Hemlet #07

La Joconde

Remember to be sweet

Donald aux Jeux Olympiques

Storm Hemlet #04

Storm Hemlet V3

Storm Hemlet V2

Tom&Jerry skateboard

Madiba II

Gandhi

Madiba

Style Banksy 02.01.25

Style Banksy 01.01.25

Plak Paris

Pause dans l'instant

Opportunity

Rayons de bonheur

Miro 02.01.25

Style Picasso 01.04.25

Style Basquiat 02.04.25

Street art 01.04.25

Keith Golf 01.04.25

Equilibre love 02.01.25

Basquiat 01.01.25

Love

James

Smiley 01.04.25

La vie en rose 01.04.25

JonOne

JonOne 2015. Framed.

Bart graffiti red Love

Supergirl

Plan de métro Garfield

Tintin à Paris

Rêves endormis

Dark Vador

Rocco

Paris la nuit

Mickey Love Rolex

Green Power

Storm Hemlet #08

Appel d'air

A block

Nuageuse

Urge

Pote Bonheur

Audrey Hepburn, breakfast at Tiffany's

Super Mario Bros, cool

Love 01.01.25

Hope

Puzzle Love

Magritte Love

Keith love 01.01.25

Street art 01.01.25

Crayons blancs 01.01.25

Basquiat 02.01.25

Wild Kong Graffiti

Style Murakami 01.04.25

Pixels Art 01.04.25

Naïf 01.04.25

Graff Art