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

Les troncs d'arbres N°4

Les troncs d'arbres N°2

Le Ballet du grand Fleuve

Fleuve Rouge

Les Grands Arbres

Sunny forest

Nature Symmetry

Vosges-sous-bois 1

Vosges-sous-bois-2

Forêt d'Ardenne

The way to peace

Gorse eye-catcher

Forest road 2

Sunny forest 2

Winter forest sunrise

Shadows of the old alley 1

Aiguille du Goûter

Pont - Domaine de Chamarande - Essonne

Le Château de Mesnil Blondel

Montserrat in the fog 3

Sunny forest 3

Fréjus

Sun

Rock Formation

Painter in the forest

Wild Parseta

Forêt magique

Clingendael 31-08-22

Park Hoog Oostduin 14-09-22, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper

Une scène de la nature !

Silhouette

La Forêt - variante

The Deer - A Portrait 1

Wood

Downtown Study II

Crossroad

Container Ship

Oil pipeline

Rotterdam

Euromast

Tropical tablecloth

Kaiyukan Aquarium

Baika

Grandfather_and_nephew

Gas Vessell

Metal Recycling Area

Tennis courts

Jump

Chiran

Grey frame - Tree tops

Grey frame - Willow leaves moon

In the forest. Kyiv._

From a Car Window

The Meadow

The Old Tree

Cedar Roots

Autumn Whispers

La forêt

Selva Oscura Macizo Colombiano, Silver Gelatin Print

Vibration

Landscape

Ox-Bow woods number 1

Courant II

Amber moon texture

Path To Paradise

Magical Woods