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

City Bird II

La vie en rose

Distracted Portrait

Miro et moi

La mer tranquille

Soleil brulant

Happiness

Slim And Sphinx

Ink #4

Ink #5

Sans titre

Sans titre

Among the Daisies

Factory & Soft mountain chain

Voici venir l'orage

Ga

Bouteilles et orange

Sans titre

Une vie à t'aimer

The Chestnut Hunt

Shadows from the past

Seashell

Cornflowers.

Bells

Yellow mood

Summer mood

Nostalgia for the sea

Mood

Geisha VI

Pandore

Sang et Or

Regard

Suspendida e ingrávida por Amor

The dream (a tribute to Picasso)

20231221 Time Travel-Touch the Future 1

20231221 Time Travel-Touch the Future 2

Prayer XIX

Abstract Life 20210910

Emotion 20210830

Emotion 20210827

Emotion 20210426

Emotion 20210427

Emotion 20210426

Emotion 20210426

Emotion 20210414-3

Emotion 20210424

Emotion 20210414-4

Pulque

Jeux intenses

Boulle et Bill

Chromatic Harmony

Forest

Jade Mermaid

Campbell's

Tiny whales from above

Alexandre le malicieux

Blossoms by the Window

Fresh Moods 97

Chasing Dreams

L'hiver

Les massifs

Cactus

Beyond Duality, Chroma Concentrics #4

Beyond Duality, Chroma Concentrics #5

Echo Of Petals

Fleeing the Scene

Chupa Chups (Green)

Perfect Coincidence 19