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

Plant Study No. 106

Joyeux

Respirer librement

Spiritual energy

Connecting to nature

Self-Portrait Corail

Nature and Seasons IV

Aurum 22

Aurum 21

Sunflowers and ultramarine

Flower Power

Imagined destinations, Old tree ( Vieil arbre )

Imagined destinations, Winter (L'hiver)

Imagined destinations, Night (Nuit)

Mayflowers I

Mayflowers II

Bullfinch on a rowan branch

Tree in Spring Leaves Radiating the Sun impression

Pond with pink lilies. original oil painting

Le Soleil sur la Clôture

Red roses

Hana13_F4818

Hana10_F69

Untitled

Romantic plants 3

The Last Snow

Autumn Rose

Poppies in Flame

Flowing Fantasy

Red flowers

Flowerbed fountain

Fétiche P1

Malgré - sculpture

Lavender scent

Tree of love Early spring 2024 - spring in France, flowers garden

Night Bouquet

Fleurs par la Route

Between black and white

Still Life with a Green Bottle

Clip

CAMPAGNE ETE AUX CHAMPS

Adjacent 7

Storm Series (Ref 844)

Sunflowers

Composition (1)

Taches vibrantes

Spring Smells VI

Spring Smells V

Sunset in the marshes

Sunflowers in the alleys of Edmonton

Wild Rose it's beauty and age

Newborn sound #83

Sunny-Girl

Colorful monday

Flowers in White Pitcher

L'amour sur un petit nuage édition d'art

Pink roses on pink cloth on the porch

Mon jardin d'Eden

Being is love / 359

Lily No. 6

Lily No. 5

Lily No. 4

Papier fleuri (Tondo)

Swallow No. 49

Sans titre

Renoncules et fressias