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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Subcategories

Small

Abstractly

Butterfly Map I

Vision 3

Enso 23

E ascolta il colpo del vento

Pedra sobre llum

Orange Edition No.17

Red Edition No.03

Red Hot Chili Peppers No. 33

Wegflug, #1067 III.

Soft Geometry #8C

Soft Geometry #8B

Soft Geometry #11C

Soft Geometry #11B

Soft Geometry #13F

Soft Geometry #13D

Soft Geometry #13C

Minimalist Cat on the Run

Je t'accompagne

Megève winter

Llaves

Awakening

Tables nuages

Enso 16

Enso 17

Enso 18

Enso 19

Enso 20

Enso 15

Enso 14

Red

Fields

L'ÉMIETTEMENT DU TEMPS

Rebirth I

Self-Portrait 20.127

Self-Portrait 20.110

Sex Symbolism #1

Northern landscape

Cloudy landscape

SERENITY-V

Spring Palette 3

Cathédrale

Fusta vermella

Sous la couette

Gold abstract painting #0012

White Now

Delta

All Of Your Pieces

Colors of Fancy

Hot Town

Montefeltro I

Montefeltro II

Seconda neve

Le Suivant

Enso 22

Lava (Fire)

Coberts amb pedres

Fusta negra fina

Rei i dama

Mineral

Cabina rossa

Cuscini

Sin título (Un espacio en construcción)

Jonquilles

Silent awakening-3 (1)

Petite boîte chinoise