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

Fantaisie Romantique

Tulip Fields Netherlands #05

Black Roses

Paradise van

Ballet floral

White and Pink Wild Roses

A colourful still life

Peoni

Color spots III

Flowers Painting African Tree Pohutukawa

Blue Velvet

Stone Roses Handfinished

Tropiques, Fleurs blanches

China Asters

Thracian tulip (Tulipa thracica)

Pond with pink lilies

Rabbit, Trasure-Trove

Aurum 6

Atlantic Roses

Frida

Spring

Sans titre

Vast IV

Jour et nuit (ermioni 4h-5h)

Where Hearts Align

Cornflowers and Phloxes

Romantic plants 1

Autour du fleuve

Fantaisie 13 - Série abstraction poétique

Les Amies

Helping Hand, Charming Snakes and Earth Needs Us Both. Ceramic Vase sculptures

Disco Ball

Arum

No Valid Name #1

Loading

Only the Strong Survive

Sola 1

Heart

Promenade dans la forêt

Fleurs I

Still Life Flowers

Butterflies in Her Hair

Fleur 9

I wish you

The tree of life | Forest landscape natural art

Fulles de tardor

Dans les champs N7

Crisantemo

Jardin de curé

Flower of Life

Azur

Roses bleues

Soul Depths

Printemps 4

Bloooom 3

The Language of Flowers

For the love of outremer

Orchidée verte

Regarde-moi

Untitled

Hemerocallis

L'iris double

Série "fleuri"

Dragon fruit and green marbles swirl composition n°4

Rencontre dans le jardin

Song for Autumn