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

Herberas

Lotus

Maiko in Kyoto, Cherry Blossoms on Blue

Still life

L'orage arrive

Fleurs d'été

Floral Abstract 08.06.21

Salvia 352

Patio Bleu

Matcha tea

Frontispiece from Braque Lithographe

Fleur 3

Fleur 2

La guerre des couleurs

Iris blau 4

Iris blau 10

Dancing Iris

L'intimité - Botanical sceneries

Lianes colorées

Campervan seen from the water

Le serpent cœur

Marina

Des fleurs en été

Gamin à la lance

Color in the window

Nymphéas bleu

Les fleurs du ciel

Bouquet of White flowers in a blue vase on red. Still life

Bouquet of mimosa in a transparent vase by the window.

Maiko in Kyoto, Cherry Blossoms on Red

La plume

Ray of Hope

Oliviers aux Pins

BLUE FACE

Landscape sketch 24

Landscape sketch 18

Landscape sketch 14

Landscape du pays nord west de la Chine 8

Landscape du pays nord west de la Chine 5

Iris blau 8

Iris blau 3

Iris blau 5

Iris blau 2

The Soaring of Spirit

Eden

Magnolia - Artemis

Alessandro Michele

Grenade

Points et lignes

Lotus 9

L'herboriste

L'ultime danse

Floral symphony in color

Copy of the picture (Roses in a glass vase) (1919) Edward Vuar

Melancholy and delight of the extraordinary blooming evening

Etude with wild flowers

Les fleurs du cerisier

Purple flowers 5425

La baie des lecques

Blue pines - Loving trees N°3

Peonies

Deconstruction

A vase full of Roses

Armories 75-19

Orange wild field flowers

Abstract flowers in a vase on black