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

Cochonnet

Fleur de music-hall

Yes, I'm gonna be a star

Chien

Vol 051

Delaunay's dog

Arbre éventail

Il patinait

Galop

Elephant

Paysage peu ordinaire

Sprint au tour de France

Sinagot Flash

Football

Neocubistic Study II

Sans titre

Union V, Terracotta

Blue 12 lights surfaces

Ensemble

Flight geometry

Les objets visuels sont des touts

5 – Pi 144 patatoïde vert sur fond noir – Tirage photographique argentique

6 – Pi 76 polygonal rouge fond noir – Tirage photographique argentique

7 – Pi 81 polygonal rouge sur fond noir – Tirage photographique argentique

13 – Pi 99 concentrique centrifuge rouge - Tirage photographique argentique

11 – Pi 78-7 barres bleu céanothe – Tirage photographique argentique

10 – Pi 78-6 barres vert herbe – Tirage photographique argentique

3 – Pi 55 concentrique vert coquelicot – Tirage photographique argentique

2 – Pi 55 concentrique vert céréales – Tirage photographique argentique

Perspective N°5

Perspective N°2

Perspective N°1

Forest green roof

To be free II

To be free I

Nose Pointy

3T-20

CC2P02-23

CCT05-23

Cube

Sphères #43

Grossert 3 - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Floue cosmographie

Wellenelement Rotation dynamisch

A.C.

All eyes on me

Nello spazio

Disegni del cielo 7

Village 02

Tour Echec

Duomo Layers, Florence Cathedral - Tuscany Limited Edition

Passatge Modernista II

Walden 7, Serie II - Limited Edition

TRACES CIRCULAIRES DORÉES

Trumpie

Debbie

Barricada #9 aic3 S

Tour

Klasen

Grossert Michael 4 - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Grossert Michael - 1970 Musée des Sables Barcarés

Vera Szekely sculpture - Musée des Sables Barcarés

Gina Pane monumental sculpture - Musée des Sables Barcarès

Camargo - Musée des Sables Barcarès

Joy

Cadran natal IV