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

Bold Gaze 2

Bold Gaze 1

Vase "She Loves Me"

Blossom #05-3119

Blossom #03-3123

Blossom #04-3118

BLOSSOM #06-3110

Sunflowers Near The Blue Curtain - sunflowers still life painting

Black aeon White

Fleurs

La couleur de mes rêves

Portrait de Surma N°4

Anemone No. 6

Parrot Tulip

Hibiscus No. 6

Floral No. 36

Tulips No. 2

Floral No. 34

Lilies

Lilies No. 2

Floral No. 32

Floral No. 31

Tulips

Floral no. 21

Iris No. 200

Iris No. 199

White roses

Floral Burst

Spring has Sprung!

Chère soeur

La rose

The Fire Tree

Forêt lumineuse verte

Mountain Flowers

Couleur bonheur

Two Red Flowers

Violet and Rose

Forêt racines verte

Llapis sobre natura

Bouquet de fleurs séchées

Blue hydrangea

Peony in pink

Summer bouquet

Floral and Fruit Elegance

Prunier en pot

By the end of the day

And suddenly

Too good to be true

Muchas flores

Rose douceur - Portrait de femme

Jacaranda Tree South Africa

Red carnations

Letter

El Loco

Fruta

Ange (EA)

Fragment d'arbres de la forêt Vosgienne - série du Bois au Bois III

Poetry

My Julietta Roses

Mullioned window with flowers

Landscape with brooms

Silhouette

Tardor

Flor sobre clau

Flor brillant

Cosmos