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

Two Souls, One Space

Under Control

Beauté 14

Beauté 12

Beauté 6

Mesdemoiselles

Long-lived masterpiece

Think

Birds

Daydream

Le bois du Hénan

Le bois du Hénan

Brin d'herbe 2

Abstract Impressions

Big Time Sensuality

Ecume N°1

Berlin Winter Abstraction No. 3

Blues' note

Cadillac in Miami - Collection Lov' rider

Saturday Stroll

Lake Como

A Forgotten Swing

Zoé

Calice d'Issey

1992 Elle Ses hanches Her hips

Syzygie

Gymnopédie

Rupture de Plan

Moon Symphony

Autumn's Bounty

White Paris blanc La Tour Eiffel et La Seine 1966 Eiffel Tower and Seine River

White Paris Blanc La rencontre 1969 The meeting

Night in Paris Nuit 1966 Danser le Kazatchok Dancing II

Black&white #3

Black&white #3

#14

#15

The Scarecrow Painter

1967 Humanité Mankind

Bold and Beautiful

1968 Promenade Walking

Poppies in Flame

Sun Mr.Hope

Plage du Cap Coz

Les marais de Mousterlin

GR34 Brigneau

Beg Meil

Beg Meil

Le Sentier côtier

Morgat

Plage des dunes - Beg Meil

19h01 au Cap Coz

19h05 au Cap Coz

19h10 au Cap Coz

The Poppy's Dance

Café de Fleur

1966 PARIS Homme à la casquette verte Man with green cap

Window to the Ocean

Sans Titre

Paulina et les renoncules

Jazzy mood-LXXVII

Jazzy mood-LXXVI

Presentiment-VII

Presentiment-III

Landscape-VI

Harbor of Serenity