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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Subcategories

Small

Subjective landscape.

Coulures

Lianes colorées

Terres d'Afrique

Jardin des hauteurs

Les eaux profondes

Battements... (Origami 2023)

Splash Paint Bucket

On the rock

Marina

L'envolée vitale... (Origami 2024)

Joshua's Way

Golden Boy Hermes Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Les Vagues

What is left to say

Sunset and lemonade

Bouquet of mimosa in a transparent vase by the window.

Master Yoda

The Beauty of Emotion II

The Beauty of Emotion I

The Role of Emotions in Creativity I

The Beauty of Abstraction I

Composition for 'from XXe Siecle', No. 16

Marine abstraite 93

Two Halves Make A Whole Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Age d'or

La foule en concert

Style flash

Portrait

I'm Sorry Mona Lisa

Spiteful

Marine abstraite 2023-23

Pattern Series #7

L'éveil

HK Fruits Gage Street Corner

Corso Mazzini Cosenza

King

Subjective landscape.

Subjective landscape.

Sheep

Les confins de l'univers

Les nageurs

The end

Regard intense

When ?

Cœur et plaisir

Implosion

Electro

Attraction galaxy

Marine abstraite 94

Rencontre

Marine abstraite 2023-29

Marine abstraite 2023-25

Green leaves

Colorful abstract abstraction 3d

Red colorful abstract abstraction 3d

Ensemble

Kiss Me

I'm Sorry Mona Lisa

From the Series Bright Dreams 7

Transformation

Quand les cloches résonnes

Purple flowers 5425

Attache toi

Sunset in harbor with yachts

Green discovery

Pink is a state of mind

Famous PB