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

Winter trail in the forest

Magical winter

Winter crystal

The first snow fell

Hot August day

Golden autumn

Mushroom Pickers

House in the forest

Rest

River bank

The hills

Winter blue

Birch Grove

Autumn Rhapsody

Warmss

Golden Light

Sunset beyond the forest

Lawn

Waterfall in the Mysterious Mountain

Vermont Winter

Shadows Of Sunny February

The Fleeting Moment

Voice of Silence

Pink City

Vache Rose

Deep in the Forest

Early spring in Kühhude no.2

German forest no.11

Green lake

Momentary Pause

Spring colors

Le vent emporte le printemps

La neige s'arrête pendant un moment

Turquoise et or

Sérénité

Spiritual energy

Warm edge

The beginning of winter

Winter

Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God

Chromatic Fall

Forest road 4

Les chemins du silence n°4 - série Paysage et forêt

Evening landscape

Goes through the woods

Forest landscape

Sunset in the marshes

Forest Magic

Mors dorminorum (série)

Summer Kontrazhur

Etude 83

Summer landscape

River Mississippi in Almonte

Cone

Enduro

Gloomy day of Zholdaka

On the edge of the forest

Sulap I

Red riding hood - Fallen princess

Elle habite au 6

White little roses

Yellow Rose

No limits

Green Tree in the city

Green Roses

Flowers