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

Baiser

Œdipe I

A man in a bar

VNGH

From child's album

Unknown

Agathe

La bougie

Nostalgia

Rolly Polly

Variation of Mona Lisa ( made with dust)

Trump at Home

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Susumu

Portrate of Frida Kahlo

Female bust, early 1980s

Untitled

Comtesse PiouPiou

Audrey Fleurot 3

Mechanical Body In Colors

Soir d'été

Alinéa-toi - Série sculpture bronze corps humain

P10

Corolle

Portrait féminin

Étude Corps Féminin 13

Récolte d'étoile

There was always love

Femme arbre Le rachis vital

Lauren

Nu de dos

Room 2 - 12 Prints Collector Portfolio # 5 - Fine Art Photography

Looking for the past

MV. 24-7 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Mother

Le Souffle de l'Autumna

L'Attente

Mathilde

La femme piège (Hommage à Enki Bilal)

Standing Nude

Rêvons la ville nocturne - Let’s live city night life

Sans titre

Archer

Je ne vois pas la femme cachée dans la foret

Composition

Lady en rose Lady in pink

Jazz

Untitled

Pygmalion

MV. 24-3 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

3 Marionettistes

Palme de la Victoire

Leopardiana

Composition érotique

Violet Moon

Amuleto- B&W Photograph Portrait of the artist Framed

Numbness

The Dancer

Nu

Nu

Nu Asis

Potser sí

Elena Mar odalisca en mi patio

Hannah