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

Nature morte II

Control

L'échappée

MP465

MP187

MP338

MP003

Marisa French Vogue Studios 1970

Te veo

Las Memorias

L'Envol

Beverly Hills Hotel

Jupe

Nashville Tornado

Times Up I

Rush II

Rush I

Marked I

Ignore Me Too

Ghost I

Box

Trap I

Faces 1 & 2

2 Girls

Estrats 1

The secret

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 1 - New York Discovery

Companyes

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 7 - Vaticano

Pearl Jam (1992)

Depeche Mode

Blur

Ancora il vapore, Canada

Georgian Bay Airways, Canada, à bord du Canadian Pacific

La partita di Hockey, Canada

Universo bianco, Canada

Al riposo, Canada

« La ciminiera non è sua », Canada novembre 1955

« The Rex Hotel », Toronto, novembre 1955

« Da una macchina fotografica gelata », Canada, novembre 1955

On Wellington Street, Toronto

Fellaz on Frenchmen

Havana café

Corazon y alma

Homeless Black

Marilyn LV Pink

Marilyn Drip Melt Red

Marilyn Offset Green

Jazz scooter

Hidden Story 5.

Magnolia No. 37

Timeless Shadows 3.

Piscine Molitor 85

Marilyn in Famous Black Dress (1962)

MP265

MP085

MP005

The southern gentleman

Tondo II

Tondo I

Mains IV

Bruno Mars portrait from the Nothing Stays Still Intervened by the artists.

MP336

MP336

MP039

MP002