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

Walks along the embankment

Fantasy Dragon

Sleepy Village

MP005

Landscaping-CXXXVII

Disk Trance

Enfants II

Enfants

Mademoiselle 49

Mademoiselle 46

Mademoiselle 47

Mademoiselle 48

Mademoiselle 42

Mademoiselle 43

Mademoiselle 41

Mademoiselle 40

Mademoiselle 41

Mademoiselle 42

Mademoiselle 44

Mademoiselle 45

Mademoiselle 39

Mademoiselle 38

Mademoiselle 47

Mademoiselle 43

Mademoiselle 41

Mademoiselle 49

Mademoiselle 50

Mademoiselle 32

Mademoiselle 33

Mademoiselle 35

Mademoiselle 36

Dragons Cave

La demoiselle III

La demoiselle II

Mains IV

You

Innertube Vision 1

Innertube Vision 2

Dame royale

Les yeux ne savent pas mentir

Beachtime 24

Love of 2

Baleine

Portrait #13 and #3, Diptych

Portrait #13 and #2, Diptych

Portrait #51. From the Portraits series

Portrait #50. From the Portraits series

The Pilot (small)

Two legs

Childhood recollections of the child Nathaniel

Skinny Bitch 2

Moscow Mule 3

Moscow Mule 2

Jeunes Femmes (et vieux messieurs)

Visage (A.R. 611)

La vierge et l'enfant

Le Soleil

Autumn's Bounty

Sans titre

Surfin Tiger

Peaceful purr

Voyage voyage

Bientôt les vacances

Vacances en Provence

Katsu

S_ck Me I'm Popular Blondiex Mickey Top Trader.