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

Poppies

De la dentelle

Giuliana

Tales of a Sea Dog Family - Viking

Duo de paysage animé

Duo de paysage

Cracked Porcelain

The traveler

Intimate explosion

Enigme 4

Hacerle el Amor a la Vida

París II

Her child

Piccadilly Circus

Urban Decay

Positivity

Serenity

Paysages 200

Taches en mouvement

Dancer #4

Composition florale 4

Composition florale 2

L'arbre qui cache la forêt

Illustration for the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel". Prince and witch in the tower.

Fred

Nocturne

Composition III

Il cielo e la pancia

Pattern are guaranteed

Wunsch-Erfueller (II)

Wunsch-Erfueller (I)

Rabbit & Flowers

Femme dans la Lune

The Reader

City shadows Watercolor cityscape

Geisha Emerald

The smile of Eva Green

Un petit air d'Angelina Jolie

Attitude. désinvolte

Regard profond

Geisha azurée

Douceur exquise

Regard lointain bleuté

Douceur bleutée au regard lointain

L'indien

Attitude désinvolte

Douce mélancolie florale

Blue Fuyo

Yowa

Suiten houfutsu

Répétition

Pepino

Diablo

Topography 7

Topography 5

Topography 2

Schielende Fette Ziege

Untitled

Untitled

Flexible Horizons 4

Flexible Horizons 3

Flexible Horizons 2

Flexible Horizons 1

Topography 1

LeBron Dunk

Amsterdam crossing