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

No name E89

No name E88

No name E91

No name D34

No name D26

Walkman

Untitled

Tagadabstract and drops on green!

Tagadabstract (in snow)

Protection

Porsche drips Legend - EA

Something to suck 493

Meltin'pot Flower Thrower - EA

Stormtrooper Vandalized Hemlet B&N

La vache qui rit basquiat Colors

Les serpents de niki Colors

Nana de niki Colors

Soulages Colors

The King Basquiat Colors

Man Giacometti Colors

Café Roy Lichtenstein Colors

Punk man

King dog

Charlie Brown & dog Haring Colors

Rolex Daytona colors

Monkey man Basquiat

Snoopy & dog Haring Colors

Around Matisse Colors

Girl Picasso Colors

Notre Dame de Paris

Love Ado Haring Colors

Miss tic Dior BomB

I love New York

Stormtrooper Vandalized Hemlet EA

Elle habite au 6

White little roses

Yellow Rose

No limits

Green Tree in the city

Green Roses

Flowers

Balade en forêt

Green Forest

Young, I lived in a little little house

Super Flower Sunshine

Space Jump

Nathan road

Jungle fever

High Sunflower

144p

Winter is Coming

Mr.hope King couleur

Mr.hope King couleur

Mr.Hope King

Crazy pop (trib. to Haring)

Red dog (trib. to Haring)

Happy love (trib. to Haring)

Multi Portrait

Marilyn in love

Pop dream

Green king (tribute to Haring)

Buse et boîte aux lettres

CeraCera Green

CeraCera Splash

Maradona

Luxury Stamp - Banksy (2)