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

Popeye Green – Golden Banana – Medium

Round Ocean #86

Big Tea 8

Big Tea 7

Big Tea 6

Big Tea 5

Big Tea 4

Big Tea 3

Big Tea 2

Big Tea 1

Acrobats’ Aesthetic

Autumn under the Starry Sky

Moonlight Night Silence

Magic of a Moonlit Night

Mysteries of the Carpathians

Even in Darkness, There Is Light

Route de la Ferme sous la neige, Vexin Réf : CPBD1035

Vortex

Mobile

Solace -

Gaze 1

Relief Blue 17

Flamingos

Arbres étranges - série 14

Portrait of Harlequin

Path to the mountains

Autumn city park

Winter trail in the forest

Lunch milking

Boats on the shore

Autumn morning fog

It's a nasty day

Lilac bush in the garden

Magical winter

Winter village evening

Winter crystal

The first snow fell

Hot August day

Crimson Autumn

September day

Overlooking the city river

Golden autumn

Pola Molitor

Pola Molitor 2 (2)

Mushroom Pickers

Lilac and tangerine

Early spring

Evening

Sunny

Amitié de coucou et cigale

The First Cut Is The Deepest

The Light Pours Out Of Me

The Pursuit Of Happiness 002

The Pursuit Of Happiness 003 (2)

The Pursuit Of Happiness 001

The New Gold

Jade Mermaid

Campbell's

Tiny whales from above

Sm 741. Un bouquet de tulipes éternelles

Bronze teddy bear IX (knuffel IX)

Atoll au sud

Einstein & Banksy

On Rhodes

Lithographie (2)

Lithographie (2)