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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Self-portrait

56 days

Les parapluies

La Lampe à Pétrole

Pool Party

Work

Portrait d'enfant

Partie de Campagne

A Moto !

Heater

The Wash House

Portrait of woman

Three-quarter-length woman

Etude pour Raboliot

Ox-Bow wood's number 2

Venise 1

Les Musiciens

Adidt (3 Mods)

Folie 7

Bord de mer

Bubby & The Daisy Quest

Homeland

La question du ciel

Self-Portrait #4

Le voyageur et son chien

Red Dress

Nout’ vié l’église Champ borne ek son band’ vacoas

Character

Echec et mat

Desolate Civilization

Hymne à l'amour

Utopia

Post Mortem VI

Pub no.1

Sans titre

La farandole

Grégoire

Christ vert

Untitled

Don't be afraid

Portrait Rêveur

Where The Wild Things Are

Hera

Space Jesus

Nefertiti

Stooped

Tanto, Stava già male

New Eva 59fifty wengé

Quiet country farmhouse - Tuscany landscape painting

Rouge est la couleur du mystère 20

Landschaft

Le pénitent

Héraclès (portrait)

Afrikaans

Chewing-gum

Personnage baroque

30301

Que des dés de 6

Les empathiques 14

Dog

Mon rêve familier

Transat 2/2

Basket with roses - Italian old painting + frame

Smat156,part2

Chrysler building

Variation #11 (série méditation)