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

Two Hosta Flowers

Hosta Flower Amidst Leaves

Walking Detroit, the Sixties

Man Playing Croquet

Man Standing in Front of House

Woman Holding Child on Beach

Boys Playing

Dancers

Washington Square Park

Superman Parade

Dog Wash

Basketball

Dancing

Ram Dad

Busy Street

Headstand

Children in Boat

Woman Holding out Hand

Kids with Cows

Hiver graphique

Serge visant au F2 Nikon, derniers tirages !

Interconnessioni 1997

Dark Horse

James Rosenquist in Studio, 1964

Claes Oldenburg, 1964

Andy Warhol with 16mm Film Projector, 1964

James Rosenquist in Studio 2, 1964

Andy Warhol with Portraits, 1964

Serpentine

Faces, Berlin

Notre-Dame de Paris

Les ponts de la Seine

Tulipes en black and white

Bouquet blanc

Becs de Perroquets

Carmen, NY

Lisa with Turban, NY

Tournoi de lutte

Le long de ma mer noire

La passante, 2019-2022

Bibliophilie, 2019-2022

La Pléiade, 2019-2022

Le touriste, 2019-2022

Clap de fin, 2019-2022

Jour d’été sur les quais, 2019-2022

Libraires sur Seine, 2019-2022

Souvenirs, 2019-2022

Le passeur, 2019-2022

Going Nowhere

Elisa, Civitella Alfedena

Aglaia

Robert Smith - The Cure - The Top Wet in London - Derniers tirages

Sting

Alep, souks

Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, 1978

Martin Scorsese - 2006

Members of the Buzzcocks, Danny Farrant, Chris Remington, Steve D - Boston, 1980 (II)

Member of Human League, Philip Oake - Boston, MA 1980 (II)

The Cramps lead singer Lux Interior (II)

Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (IV)

Lou Reed - Boston, MA 1980

Punk Club - Boston, MA

Musician Elvis Costello performs live

Devo performs live at The Paradise Rock Club in 1976 (III)

Brian Tristan - Cramps guitarist Kid Congo Powers

The Cramps Lead singer Lux Interior (III)