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

Bolchoi V

Line of palms

1915 Sous-bois Undergrowth

Filets de lumières

The Brothers Karamazov

NY State Supreme Court

One Step Ahead

Dress Code

Bilbao 30/09/2010 15:22h. (Identity Promises Series)

Humble Pie, Honolulu

Robert Plant Hawaii

Van Halen, Costa Mesa 1995

Elton John II

Mick and Keith, Honolulu 1973

Robert Plant gets Lai'd, Honolulu Airport

Rod and Ronnie

Snoop Dogg with Run DMC

Stevie Ray Vaughan II

Stevie Ray Vaughan I

John Bonham, Full Kit, Seattle

Jimmy Page, Rock Walk Induction, Hollywood 1993

Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles

Elton John Feather

H-

Kafka - Le Terrier IX

Beverly Hills

Die Heilige

Pow on FlowerZ!

Interconnessioni 1997

Well Heeled

The Mist

The eye of the earth

Endless life

Have a soft dream with the moon

Being and nothingness

Moonshine

Svyatibor

Le talon Murmure à l'Oreille

Lamb I

Sans titre 2

Ozzy Osburne

Sezione della Mole

Legami

Paris Tour Eiffel 2

Linger

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Cherry Bomb

Che

Moon Shin, Portrait à la cigarette

Envolée

Marilyn Relaxes in A Hotel Room

Differences

Pulchrum foruM - Format M

A view from Untzillatx (Identity Revelations series)

Seascape Untitled (f66) (Identity promises series)

Imagen del mundo flotante

En attendant la neige / 2

Évanescence

Valle Oscuru

Memories…

Sinéad O'Connor

Helmut Newton