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

Aquara

Gemma

Natacha

Femme chinoise

Rêves de Japon

Femme dans les nuages

Hollywood icons triptych 4

Pink Mist

Constellations

A corner at Dries van Noten’s home

L'éventail

Harmonie

Je pense à toi

Electric (Dance Floor Riot)

Le Brun

Cyndi

La Valseuse

Passionnément

Metaphysics of the hushed indifference

Picador et femme

Costumer Design

Demain après-midi

La Traviata - Rodolpe - 4e Acte

Persée

Le Poète

Sous protection

Behind the mask

Cosmic Messenger: The Rustic Hermes Bust 1/1

Miss Tic Présidente : descendre dans la rue ou y rester

Two Girls on the Roadside

Racconto di primavera 10

Racconto di primavera 9

Racconto di primavera 7

Racconto di primavera 6

Racconto di primavera 3

Racconto di primavera 2

Racconto di primavera 1

The Gentle Weight of Love

Dance with Butterflies

Où est le jour (Poème #13)

King Mysterious

Sunflowers

Poemes: Dans ma Memoire

Poemes: Comme un barbare

Bowie In Suit

Bamboo Backbone Woman

Serait-Ce Vous ?

Jane

Blaubird

Dreaming Muse #2

Brigitte

Night Gown

Waiting for Spring

Mime-Mime

The Seedsof the Heart Blossom

Kevinours Love Keny Arkana X Shadee K

Uranie 1

Trumpet On Man Sculpture

Nuance 15

Barstow City Limits

Psychopomp Hermes

Joeur de football sur fond sienna / Soccer Player on sienna background

Mother

El viajero & Compradito (Bronze)

Rue Mouffetard

Sunset portrait of a forest creature