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

Mondrian 3D - NrC5

Phenomena With Two Black Threads

Still Life - Abstract Series (unique mixed media on paper), 2010

Sans titre

Emprise

Kira (Burnished Gold)

Echoes Stir Unsummoned

Sans-titre

Mariana con Abanico

Blue Horizon

Dolly dans les nuages

Morgen

Wildflowers Set

Together

Untitled

The Ceremony

Totems

Inspiration

Sans-titre

003

Portrait de jeune fille

1987 Cubintra I

Flammarion. Photograph intervened by the artists.

Emotional color chart 56 – Spring

Envolée - Explosion graphique - série Energie

Abstract VI

Minikrypto

Fantaisie 13 - Série abstraction poétique

Untitled

Car Races, Lemans 57

Freude 2 - Joy 2

Sunglasses

Cylindrism 4

Les Amies

Arthus

The metropolitan rush

White Parisi Blanc 1969 Six passants 6 passers-by

Helping Hand, Charming Snakes and Earth Needs Us Both. Ceramic Vase sculptures

Pirika and Yume

Trafic

Afterimage II

M_MS_04

La Traviata - Rodolphe - 2e Acte

Confessions rétro-éclairées

Disco Ball

En Compagnie

Circ de Tarragona

Untitled

Elan Feminin

A light breeze in the yard

A Lovely Serenade Of Summer

Les promenades

Au-delà 23

Time to slow down

Aluminium II

Chameau

Chouette

L'éphémère en lumière

Trab

Unbreakable Bond

Sans titre

Whisper of the Moonlit Forest

Golden Bounty

Récurence / Vert

Aquamarine

Empreinte Aigue-marine