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

Œdipe I

La jeune fille de la gare de Desenzano

Sans titre 1

Skeme and Lava - N.Y.C Legends

Dans les rues de Biot

After the flood

J'accuse

Framing

Guy with a paste earring

Abandon

Raspberry Jam 2

Room 2 - 12 Prints Collector Portfolio # 5 - Fine Art Photography

Siesta

Memory Trap

Sans titre

Je ne vois pas la femme cachée dans la foret

Dajana I, Milan, Exposure

Mother and Child

Bettie Page ‘Two- Peace Leopard Print Suit', Key Biscayne, FL

Faded Away 11, Rome

Elena Mar odalisca en mi patio

Mia Villiers-Farrow on a bed

Kate Moss défilé Vivienne Westwood

L'impératrice des tielles

Zach à Caro

End Of Empire, Kantharos

Kaki 2

Covers 13 - Black B

Astrologie poétique IV

Astrologie poétique III

Astrologie poétique II

Astrologie poétique I

La tristeza

New horizons

Hombre de la Luna

A Confiança

Saudade

Huir por las esquinas y encerrarse en los

Ensayo

Last man standing

El Dandy

La Confianza

Cloned Griffon Bruxellois With Pet Bottle

Marilyn Rare Black Dress (1962)

Autoportrait II

Landscape sketch 18

Viejo maestro

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Tunnel

Ma tete de Mort

Marilyn Laughing in Black Dress

Entrelazar 204

La Linea

El orgullo

Marilyn in the wedding veil

Bis non repetitat

Marilyn in the clouds

The last tango

Myst 64

Vingt-quatre premiers sonnets de Shakespeare dans la traduction de Yves Bonnefoy n°367

Vingt-quatre premiers sonnets de Shakespeare dans la traduction de Yves Bonnefoy n°368

Portrait #9

Maiden of Tsonga

La Santiaguera

El Revolucionario